Gainsborough Striders runner Hanna completes New York Marathon

The lure of the Big Apple proved too much for Gainsborough Strider Hanna Bennett, who crossed the Atlantic to tackle the world-renowned New York marathon at the weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Nov 2016, 14:35 BST
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 17:02 BST
POUNDING THE STREETS OF NEW YORK -- Hanna Bennett, of Gainsborough Striders, who completed one of the most famous marathons in the world.POUNDING THE STREETS OF NEW YORK -- Hanna Bennett, of Gainsborough Striders, who completed one of the most famous marathons in the world.
POUNDING THE STREETS OF NEW YORK -- Hanna Bennett, of Gainsborough Striders, who completed one of the most famous marathons in the world.

Hanna didn’t have to go. In fact, she had the option of running three laps of the Rockingham Speedway circuit in Northamptonshire as an alternative engagement.

But who could blame her for opting for the USA -- and she was among more than 51,000 runners who crossed the finishing line in Central Park, making it the largest marathon ever staged.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The race began on Staten Island and worked its way north before crossing on to Manhattan Island and skirting Harlem for the final few miles. A brisk northerly wind didn’t make it a good day for your New York Marathon debut, so Hanna was delighted to complete the course in just over four hours, five minutes, which was well below the average time.

Most Popular

Rather closer to home, a trio of Striders travelled to Barton-on-Humber for the Deepdale Dash. This popular 10k race was run in pouring rain on what was kindly described as an undulating course.

James Croft was the first Strider home, and 22nd overall, in an impressive time of 38.46 minutes. Next in was the club’s most prolific racer of 2016, Norman Hindley, who finished his 16th event of the year in 51.21. He was followed over the line by Stacy Lyner, who ran her second best time of the year, 64.45.

The windy weather on Saturday morning was not conducive to personal best times. However that didn’t deter Darryl Kelsey as he overcame the conditions in the Gainsborough parkrun to run his fastest time there of 25.15. The second batch of races in the Lincolnshire Cross Country series, staged at Belton House, near Grantham, were also held over the weekend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The regular weekly club training sessions will continue, with the juniors meeting on Tuesday at 5.30 pm at the Gainsborough Academy. The Thursday senior session starts at 6.30 pm from Queen Elizabeth High School, while the next Tuesday evening senior session will begin from DW Sports in Marshall’s Yard at 7.15 pm. High-visibility clothing is a requirement for both adult sessions.