Marathon effort as a group, but still apart

Some 18 members of Sleaford Striders Athletic Club were down to compete in the 2020 event, the UK’s second largest marathon. For 12 of them, it would have been their first-ever marathon.

“They had all completed the vast majority of their intense 16-week training programme and were clearly deflated when the marathon was understandably postponed,” said Andy Dickinson, club vice chairman.

Rather than see their preparations go to waste, the determined dozen-and-a-half found a way to cover the marathon distance together, while still observing social distancing.

The group teamed up to run 1.46 miles each (or 26.2 miles in total) in their back gardens.

They set off at 9am on last Sunday, April 5, exactly when the marathon would have started.

Andy continued: “They all came up with some inspirational garden set ups to replicate the event the best they could and provided some cheerful, shared fun times on social media in these difficult times.

“Sleaford Striders is really a true family club and everyone is missing the strong friendship and camaraderie the club represents.”

The 18 were: Dawn Bailey, Kim Duffy, Adam Gilbert, Sarah Hemmings, John Hutton, Kate Hutton, Kim King, Trina Macrae, Mark Page, Sharon Palmer, Martyn Pickworth, Steve Robinson, Shaun Stafford, Lindsay Stuart, Frank Taylor, Shirley Taylor, Susan Tremayne and Sam Warrener.

They have deferred their entries and will begin the 16-week training programme at the end of the year for 2021’s Manchester Marathon.