London Marathon - Winter Duathlon
Last weekend saw two husband and wife teams tackle the London marathon, and another up-and-coming member having their first taste of multisport.
For the first time in 889 days, around 40,000 participants took part running the course from Greenwich to Westminster, in the largest marathon event in the United Kingdom, the Virgin London marathon.
Representing KLTC on the day were our first husband and wife team, Nicola and Richard Kennedy.
This year's event saw participants setting off in more than 40 start waves across a 90-minute period. Taking in the Cutty Sark at mile 6, the Shard and Tower Bridge at mile 12, Canary wharf at mile 18, London Eye, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament at mile 25, and finally hitting the finish line at mile 26 outside Buckingham Palace. Just as impressive was the fact this was to be the couple's 21st full marathon distance.
Crossing the line first was Richard, setting an impressive 01:31:36 for the half marathon distance and 03:11:18 to complete the full 21.6 miles (42.1km)
Nicola wasn't far behind her husband, setting an equally impressive half time of 01:38:05 and full 03:20:59, gaining herself a new marathon PB.
Nicola&Richard Kennedy
Our second couple saw Vicky and Paul Dunthorne take on the 26.2 miles of the London marathon virtually ‘ just for fun ‘
Paul, using the ‘ Doig ‘ method of training……..(very little), included six weeks of progressive long runs but nothing much else explained Vicky. He managed to run 22 miles and walked 4.2. He was hoping for a sub 4hr marathon but ended up with an equally impressive 4hrs 15 mins, solo and unsupported.
Vicky, having three full marathons already under her belt, continued in her constantly supportive nature and walked with a close friend Bec to complete the virtual challenge. They set themselves this target at the beginning of the year to aid her friend in getting back to fitness from being very ill last year.
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Bec - Vicky&Paul Dunthorne
Back closer to home in Norfolk, Kimberly Grey travelled to High Lodge, Thetford. Situated in the stunning location of Thetford forest. This was the setting for the Can-But-Tri Winter Duathlon Series Event 1.
The first of the winter series from this company, the event is held entirely off-road with the bike section suitable for mountain, cyclocross, gravel, or hybrid (with off-road tyres) bikes. The run course took participants along woodland tracks combining sand, gravel, mud, grass, and puddles.
This was Grey's first attempt at Duathlon (run-bike-run) and a real glimpse into the multisport world and good practice into the bike-to-run discipline of transition.
Even after an unfortunate mechanical issue with her bike during the bike section, Grey managed 17th place, setting a time of 53:11. Distances on the winter route were 2.25km run / 7km bike / 2.25km run. The series continues in November and runs through to March 2022.
Kimberley Grey
