Mablethorpe Running Club pair improve London times

Elaine and Sharon ran well in a field of 20,000 runners at the London Big Half EMN-200316-091554002

Around 20,000 people participated in the 13.1-mile race which started by Tower Bridge and went through the four London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich before its finish at the iconic Cutty Sark.

Tens of thousands of spectators cheered runners along the route with a carnival-like atmosphere, live music, bands, and dancers.

Mablethorpe Running Club friends Sharon and Elaine joined the masses.

On her 16th half-marathon, Sharon was delighted to clock exactly 1hr 59min, almost 23 minutes faster than her 2019 time, while Elaine completed her 15th half in 2hr 20min 51secs, more than a minute quicker than last year.

* Mablethorpe Running Club have also been heading out to parkruns once again.

The Cleethorpes Parkrun takes place at the town’s country park over a mixture of Tarmac paths and grass.

Of the 252 who completed the March 7 edition, Sharon Margarson was there with her son Lorcan (unaffiliated) and Elaine Wilson.

Sharon finished first in her vet 45 to 49 age group in 24min 36secs, while Elaine crossed the finish line in 28.17, and Lorcan managed a respectable 35.31.

The Skegness Boating Lake parkrun attracted 223 runners for the March 7 event, seven of them from Mablethorpe RC or unaffiliated friends of the club.

Wesley and Janine Stones both clocked personal bests of 19min 38secs and 21min 19secs respectively.

Nigel Cross was next quickest for Mablethorpe in 22.43, followed by Nigel Booth (unattached) in 23.51, Debbie Jinks (27.20), Sarah Stevenson (30.48), and Katrina Needham (33.24).

Numbers were down for last Saturday’s edition as 154 completed the course, including three from Mablethorpe RC, and Janine’s son Wesley (unattached).

Wesley was second overall in a time of 19min 49secs, while Janine completed a great day for the Stones family by being first female across the line in 21min 24secs.

Debbie Jinks recorded a time of 28.07, and Felicity Berry clocked 34.06.

Parkruns take place every Saturday morning at locations all over the UK.

For more information, visit www.parkrun.org.uk

* Mablethorpe Running Club hold sessions on Mondays from 6.30pm at Sutton-on-Sea Social Club.

Everyone welcome to go along, with no pressure to join straight away.

If you would like to know more, visit the club website at www.mablethorperunningclub.org.uk