The Curious Case of the Boston Coincidences

Boston Marathon – Mon 18 April

by Pete Mackrell

The next chapter in my marathon tour took me to Boston for marathon number 13, would it be unlucky?

But first we have to start with a bit of history. Boston is easily the world’s oldest annual marathon with the first event being held in 1897, making this year the 120th race. It is always held on the third Monday in April which is Patriots’ Day, a state holiday. This year’s race also marked the 50th anniversary of the first female participation in 1966. That first lady runner: Bobbi Gibb, tried to enter officially but she was turned down because “women aren’t physiologically capable of running 26.2 miles”. She turned up anyway, hid in a bush before the start to avoid arrest, and joined in. She finished in 3:21:40. It took six years before women were officially allowed to enter. read more

My Marathon in Manchester

By Elliot Hind

I could write for pages about my marathon journey.  This, (believe it or not) is the short version!

I think it’s fair to say that I’d had the best preparation I could possibly have dreamed of for the Greater Manchester Marathon on 10 April 2016.  Over the past year I’ve worked incredibly hard and broken my 5k (numerous times), 10k, half marathon and 20 mile personal bests.  Things were going so well in fact that in March I came within 10 seconds of breaking the 20 mile club record that has stood since 1976. read more

Sweeping up at Sandy

Despite the early frost on Sunday morning, by the time the crowd of 21 runners + supporters from Leighton Buzzard Athletic Club were packed into the sports hall ready for the walk to the start of the 2016 Sandy 10, it was clear that it was going to be shorts and vest weather. The sun was out and it was a beautiful morning for running.

A Sunny Selfie in Sandy!

A Sunny Selfie in Sandy!

Sandy 10 was again chosen as the location of the LBAC 10 mile Club Championship race for the upcoming road running season. Some people only turn up to these races to get the Club Champs points, some were there to get PBs for that distance, some were trying to stay sane and not get injured before the London marathon and others were just testing to see if they’d make the start line in 2 weeks! read more

It’s Tough at the Top

Coming into the final Stag Trophy Race of the season there were five potential victors of the overall title for the season and four of the five were in great form having achieved PB’s in March.

Most of the cards, however, were in the hands of James Cusack who knew that finishing in any of the top six places would earn him the title, but there was no way that the others would lie down without a fight.

It wasn’t the warmest of April evenings with mercury just battling to get over 8° and a bit of a stiff breeze coming from the South West making both the alleyway and Grove Road a bit of a battle. Despite this, twenty-three people, plus a number of supporters turned up to be involved and the lighter evening makes quite a big difference to the route. read more

Katie isn’t so bad afterall

There were a few messages flowing around the club facebook page on Monday morning while storm Katie was at her strongest, with a vague suggestion that maybe, possibly should the “Christmas” handicap event be postponed. Eventually it was decided that we’d all turn up and make a decision from there.

The Christmas Handicap used to take place on Boxing Day but after a few years of declining numbers we moved the event to Easter Monday three or four years ago and the turn-out has been much better. The trophy however, still bears the Christmas name. read more

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