Inaugural Yorkshire Marathon
Ripon Runners continued their marathon exploits in York on Sunday 20 October at the inaugural Yorkshire Plusnet Marathon, with some blistering performances being recorded. The marathon attracted over 6,000 entries and stands as part of the lasting legacy of the late fundraiser and campaigner Jane Tomlinson, who raised almost £2m for charity.
Those attempting a marathon for the first time were Tori Green, who enjoyed a great run to be first Ripon Runner home in 3 hours 10 minutes and 12th female overall. Other first timers were Christine Swiers, smashing her sub 4 hour target and 11th in her age category in 3 hours 34 minutes, Joe Lofthouse (3:33) and Leslie Willoughby (4:06) and Angela Benson (4:27).
At the other extreme, five runners were completing their second marathon in two weeks, with Claire Baker taking 2 minutes off her Chester effort for an incredible 3 hour 13 minute finish and Paul Walker 4 minutes off his Breman Marathon pb in 3 hours 15 minutes. Chester must have also given the marathon bug to Laura Strangeway (4:00), Anneke Immeson (4:11) and Simon McCudden (4:11).
Other finishers were Alex Fawcett (3:22), Pete Wright (3:52), Lena Conlin (4:24) who was completing her 11th marathon of 2013, Chris Brown (4:27), Mel Dutka (4:30), Martin Cunningham (4:35) and Billy Conlin (4:35). (see the photo)