SRC’s Richard Summerhayes travelled to America to take part in the Boston marathon and had a superb run. The Mighty Green finished in 3:19:17, running an average 7.37 minute/mile and was 9923rd out of 28,411!
Six club runners took part in Ruby Red Runnings’ East Devon Round half which started at 5.30am on Saturday. Louise Dalton set the pace and did not let the heat or 5750 feet of elevation get to her, finishing in 7 hours 31 minutes; not only the first MG to finish but first lady too. Martin Barnard was the first MG male to finish in 8 hours 13 minutes.
Helen Palmer wanted a challenge to celebrate her 60th birthday and along with friends and fellow Mighty Greens, Cath Miller, Jane Hemsworth and Naomi Garrick, they chose to run this ultra. Despite slight panic on hearing the course would be 37.89 miles the week before, not the 34 miles stated on the web site and the distance they had been training for, the ladies set off undeterred. As the miles clocked up, and the sun grew stronger, the fabulous four kept each other going until fatigue hit them and the chat lessened. They appreciated the well-stocked food stations and excellent support especially from MG Richard King who was on hand with drinks, salt tablets and blister plasters. The wonderful East Devon scenery did not go unnoticed especially the bluebells at Blackberry Camp where they crossed the finishing line in 11 hours 49 minutes.
Not only did Helen achieve her first ultra, she raised nearly £500 for Mencap to mark her retirement from a career working with people with a learning disability. Mighty Green congratulations to you all!
