Bay runners ‘smash it’ at the London Marathon

Torbay AAC had seven athletes at the TCS London Marathon this weekend.

Iaen Sell had entered TCS London Marathon through the Torbay Athletic Club place (athletic clubs are usually allocated a club place and this is open to members who have never run London Marathon and were rejected in the ballot).

Waking up on a perfect morning - albeit a chilly breeze - Iaen wandered across Blackheath with thousands of like-minded runners to get to the Red start zone on Greenwich Common - the well organised start area was laid out really well - so many nations represented!

The wave two start got away at 10:18 - the sensory overload of marshals and support - up to 10 + deep in areas made the race fly by - Iaen finished in 3:51:22 his third fastest time.

Full results as follows: Heather Eve 3:36:54, Nick Robinson 3:46:02, Kat Higginson 3:47:56 Iaen Sell 3:51:22, Debbie Webber 4:40:23, Fay Martin 5:45:09, Charlotte Philippou 5:47:59.

Also, massive congratulations to Hannah Beaumont from Torbay, who completed the marathon in 6 hrs 38 seconds.

Hannah said: “It was rather warm but a nice breeze, the support from the crowd was incredible. I’ve raised over £3200 for Sue Ryder, Manorlands Hospice.”

Torbay AAC took on the Total Coastal, a race comprising three distances: 10k, half marathon and 50k Ultra marathon. The day awakened with beautiful blue skies over the Bay with the 7:45am Ultra start promising glorious but hot conditions!

Two Torbay AAC runners completed the half marathon, starting at Preston Green and finishing in Shaldon: Janine Callard 3:12, Leon Berry 4:20. Two runners took on the 50k Ultra Marathon starting in Kingswear through to Shaldon. The route follows the coastal path taking on some extreme elevation with the backdrop of some of Devon’s most magnificent coastline and countryside.

The conditions were hot and sunny making for a busier than expected route, the hills were tough and the route long but the Torbay AAC runners gave it their all embracing the challenge and smiling all the way to the finish. Anita Merritt and Nadine Lee both finishing in 9:32.