There was terrific KTH representation in the Virgin Money London Marathon/ Virgin mini Marathon on a day which saw a spectacular Elite men’s race with Eliud Kipchoge setting the 2nd fasted marathon in history. Kipchoge, 31, won in 2:03:04, only seven seconds outside the world record, and his time has been bettered only by Kenyan Dennis Kimetto, who ran 2:02:57 in 2014 in Berlin, which is acknowledged as a quicker course.
It was a surprising cool morning in the capital, but perhaps ideal marathon running weather with just a light breeze, and as is typical on London marathon day the crowds were out in force offering fantastic support along the whole 26 mile route.
Before the main marathon race got underway it was the turn of the KTH youngsters Claudia Nevett & Emily Williams to compete in the 3 mile British Championships, representing East Midland region, in the Virgin mini Marathon. Both athletes performed well on a brisk morning in the capital, with U17 Claudia Nevett who competed as an U15 in 2014, finishing in a terrific 34th, in a new course & 3Mile PB of 18:14, & U15 Emily Williams who was competing in this event for the first time running a terrific race to finish in 23rd place in 18:04.
Claudia Nevett & Emily Williams terrific races in the Mini Marathon representing East Midlands
In the Marathon race there were some terrific age category performances from the Harriers with Vet 50-54 Kerry Munn finishing in 25th place category (531 overall) in a fine 3:21, and a number of sub 3 hours men’s performances with Adrian King vet 45-49 110th (1095) in 2:53, Phil West 45-49 in 196th (1571) in a 1 minute PB of 2:57 Steve Green 40-44 230th (1123) with a 5 minute PB in 2:54, Tom Shepherd 40-44 in 442 (1997) 3:00 dead, and honorary Harrier Swede Peter Oom 40-45 who was 50th (332) with the individual fastest clocking on the day in 2:41.
Other Harriers running well were the Mehmet’s with Yvonne Mehmet 45-49 in 351st (2827) slicing 27 min’s from her PB to finish in a fine sub 4 clocking of 3:55, and husband Kemal Mehmet 45-49 finishing in 405th (2804) also setting a new PB of 12 min’s with 3:08. Natalie Ablett was just outside 4:00 finishing in 676th (3547) in 4:02, with Steve Duke 40-44 finishing in 1303rd (6103) in 3:33 & Simon Keal 40-44 finishing in 1855th (9287)
Kemal Mehmet PB of 3:08 by over 12 minutes proudly wearing the excellent commemorative medal
Well done to all the competitors!