IN life they say every second counts and for Richard Jones of Garstang Running Club one second meant an awful lot. Running his fifth London Marathon he beat his personal best by just one second when he completed the race in 3 hours and twenty five minutes and twenty five seconds.
Julie Graham however did not mess about beating her personal best by several minutes in 4.09.48. Graham Tagg's objective was to dip under 3 hours which he achieved comfortably (is any marathon comfortable?) in 2.55.30.
Tim Warner was running his 18
th marathon but this was the first one where he got sunburnt and had hail and snow falling on him in the same race. Hoping to beat 4 hours Tim readily achieved his objective in 3.50.27. Last but not least the fifth club competitor Martyn Knowles finished in 3.40.45.
On a slightly hillier front Brian and Denise Hughes and Phil and Betty Roberts ventured to Barbon for the Barbondale Fell Run. Brian, Denise and Betty took on the 14.5 mile race of high moor and 2400 feet of ascent.
Despite gale force winds during the climb to Great Coum and the compulsory requirement to consume complimentary tuna sandwiches on the way out and pie and peas at the finish the intrepid trio finished the course in a very respectable 3 hours 35 minutes.
Forgoing the tuna sandwiches Phil Roberts opted for the full Barbondale run of 24 miles and 4800 feet of ascent with a circuit of the Middleton fells and great Coum. His abstinence paid off as he was the first runner back in 4 hours 8 minutes some 20 minutes clear of the second finisher.
Had he been able to paraglide he might have been even quicker as he nearly achieved take-off several times on the windy descent from Calf Top.
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