Race report by Andy K:
On Sunday four Lostockers headed to Chester to tackle the 16th annual MBNA Chester Marathon. This course is a favourite for a number of team green and it was easy to see why.
Janet, Greg, Dan, and Andy joined 5776 other runners gathered at Chester Racecourse for 9am to be sent on our way by Dame Denise Lewis into the winding historic streets of the city through thousands of well wishers
After a couple of miles, the route takes you out the city gates, over the River Dee, and into the picturesque Cheshire countryside. The course offers a brilliant blend of tight-knit village support, rolling rural miles, and historic milestones. There is even some international travel involved with 7 scenic miles looping through North Wales.
All four of us made strong starts but this marathon leaves all it’s surprises in the back third. After 18 miles, we were joined by the metric marathoners which made the course a lot busier, and then came the short sharp hills that seemed designed to make you give up
After crossing back over the ancient Roman bridge at Farndon and grinding through the final testing miles alongside the metric marathoners, the race loops back for an unforgettable finish along the banks of the River Dee.
Andy was first Lostocker back with an impressive 3:37:34, knocking over 40 minutes off his marathon PB. After an injury-hampered training block, Janet put in a strong performance to finish in 4:13:13.
Greg had a brilliant run, setting new PBs for both a half marathon and 30k. Unfortunately at 22 miles cramp set in both legs but his determination and a few motivational phone calls with other Lostock members saw him cross the finish line in 4:25:25
Dan also put in a battling performance to overcome injury. All his training paid off as it helped him to keep going and get round in 5:13:38 for his second fastest marathon
