Hillingdon runners at Virgin London Marathon, 13 April 2014
Congratulations to our eleven Hillingdon Athletic Club runners on their Virgin London Marathon performances which this year includes three who ran it in under three hours, and a fifth place to Angela Duncan in her 70+ age category.
First finisher for the club on that sunny day was Mike Dooley, who finished in 2 hours, 42 minutes, and 49 seconds, followed closely by Scott Farley, completing his first marathon in 2:50:51, and Paul Hull (V45) in 2:59:25, improving his London 2012 time of 3:12:26.
Scott commented that his race “went pretty well. I had planned on a time of 2:50! I managed to keep an even pace although the last three miles were hard. It was quite difficult in the heat.”
Paul remarked “This was my 2nd London Marathon and 10th marathon, they don’t get any easier. As usual I set off too fast and I suffered badly after 18 miles and had to succumb to a walk a number of times. I was pleased to break the 3 hours as it was only the second time I had achieved this and it books my place for next year in the good for age category so I can try again.”
The next five Hillingdon athletes came in between three and four hours. James Manley in 3 hours and 48 seconds, Wesley Godfrey (V35) in 3:12:44, and Dave Smith (V45) in 3:26:02, the other two were experienced marathoners Andy Mansi 3:33:39 (V60) and Lucy Duncan (V35) in 3:59:45.
Dave said afterwards : “ I am very pleased and happy. I could not have expected a better time for my first London marathon. My training had gone to plan so my times were consistent. There was a fantastic atmosphere in London today – it is a unique event.”
Lucy Duncan in her 6th London marathon was chasing her goal of a sub 4 hour time. “All was going to plan until mile 16 when the warm weather started to take its toll and I had to dig in. In the last mile I started to get cramp in my legs and feet but thought I was still on target until I reached Buckingham Palace and the dreadful thought of having to sprint down the Mall hit me. I managed to rally to finish in 3.59.45 before my legs seized up.”
Angela Duncan commented: “I ran well this year, in my 5th London Marathon, and thought I might manage 4.30 but slowed later in the race to finish in 4.44:24; well within my Good for Age (time) and thank goodness under five hours. The crowds were fantastic; it was a great day and we thoroughly enjoyed an ice cream in the sun in Green Park afterwards. Lucy and I were so pleased to see our supporters from the club both along the route and in the clubhouse for a drink in the evening.”
John Hughes (V45) achieved his personal best at London in 4 hours 19:20. Last but not least in achievement terms came Oona Hempenstall (V40) with a time of 6:21:50.
If you are one of the other runners we have not been able to contact yet for your comments and would like to say how it was for you at the London Marathon then please contact Lesley Conway, Martin Bateman (mbateman@hillingdonac.co.uk), Dave Smith or anyone on the HAC Communications Committee.
All the results and stats can be found here.
