Race Report: Asda Foundation Yorkshire Marathon
Masterful performances were in abundance at this weekend’s Asda Foundation Yorkshire Marathon, as around 175 England and Celtic Age Group representative runners took to the roads to compete over the 26.2 miles distance.
The first three finishers in the overall women’s race were all England Masters runners with the race winner, Charlene Jacobs-Conradie (Luton AC - F40) setting a lifetime best by just over six minutes to run a classy 2:46:50. It was an emphatic win by over five minutes, but fellow England Masters runners secured the silver and bronze podium places with Sarah Hill (Farnham Runners - F45) finishing in 2:52:21, and another lifetime best performance for Kate Owens (Crawley AC – F35) in 2:55:13.
The overall race was won by Mark Buckingham (Holmfirth) in a time of 2:21:42, with Daniel Kestrel (Rotherham Harriers & AC) finishing second in 2:24:47, but it was the performances of the Masters runners that really stole the show, with Richard McDowell (Hercules Wimbledon - M40) finishing in 2:25:00.
A further four England Masters runners went sub 2 hrs 30, with Jonathan Walton (Leeds City AC – M50) clocking 2:29:11 and winning the men’s WAVA age-graded performance of the day with a world class 91.97% rating.
In the women’s race seven from the top ten finishers in the race were all England Masters finishing inside the 3 hours mark. Fee Maycock (Cheltenham & County Harriers – F50) posted an impressive 2:55:34, her best time at the marathon since 2013, clearly proving that age really is no barrier to setting fast times.
For many the honour of being selected to represent the England team after a tough qualification process made the day, with fast times being the unexpected but very welcome bonus. David Shaw (Striders of Croydon - M55) was jumping for joy as he crossed the line, having set a personal best at the marathon at the age of 57. After the race David said: ‘A brilliant event – I never expected to be running in an England vest or to be setting PBs at my age. So doubly pleased to do both, my 2.50 took almost five minutes off my PB set when I was in my 30s. Many thanks to everyone at England Athletics and Yorkshire, as well as the other runners who together made it a very special day.’
Peter Sowerby (Truro RC – M50) was one of many runners thrilled to be running in an England vest and the pride he showed as he sprinted down the finishing straight with the England flag flowing behind him summed up the day for many. In his words: ‘The whole event was a magical experience. It was an event for the whole family, who all came to support on the day. My rather exuberant flag flying was my ‘Olympic moment’ and suffice to say I made the most of it! Not the fastest marathon in my age on the day, but a real achievement for myself, my family, my parkrun and my club – the tale will get grander over the passing years!’
Guido Tapia (Lancing Eagles – M65) who ran 3:45.44 only took up running 3 years ago and commented afterwards: ‘It was such a great honour to wear the England vest. The Masters Running Programme highlights what is possible to achieve and will continue to play a major part in motivating and inspiring people of all ages to take up athletics and running.’
Lynda Hembury (Tring RC – F60) was the top female WAVA age graded performer of the day, with an astonishing time of 3:15:21 and a world class mark of 94.11%. Lynda was a little surprised with her own performance given that only 12 months prior she had been in a wheelchair following a hip operation.
Results
Men
M35 - Robert Weekes (East Hull Harriers) - 2:25:05
M40 - Richard McDowell (Hercules Wimbledon AC) - 2:25:00
M45 - Gareth Lowe (Clowne Road Runners) - 2:26:30
M50 - Jonathan Walton (Leeds City AC) - 2:29:11
M55 - John Anderson (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) - 2:44:38
M60 - Martin Davis (Newquay RR) - 3:07:41
M65 - Dave Potter (Leamington Cycling & AC) - 3:12:26
M70 - Dave Pettifer (Kenilworth Runners) - 3:21:00
M75 - Michael Madder (South West Veterans AC) - 4:22:34
Women
F35 - Kate Owens (Crawley AC) - 2:55:14
F40 - Charlene Jacobs-Conradie (Luton AC) - 2:46:50
F45 - Sarah Hill (Farnham Runners) - 2:52:21
F50 - Fee Mayock (Cheltenham & County Harriers) - 2:55:36
F55 - Julie Masterman (Goole Viking Striders) - 3:17:39
F60 - Lynda Hembury (Tring RC) - 3:15:21
F65 - Madeleine Stansfield (Dewsbury) - 4:09:33
F70 - Shirley Gibson (Darlington Harriers) - 4:23:11
WAVA Age Graded
Men
1 - Jonathan Walton (Leeds City AC - M50) - 2:29:11 - 91.97%
2 - Gareth Lowe (Clowne Road Runners - M45) - 2:26:30 - 90.50%
3 - Richard McDowell (Hercules Wimbledon AC - M40) - 2:25:00 - 87.19%
Women
1 - Lynda Hembury (Tring RC – F60) - 3:15:21 - 94/11%
2 - Fee Mayock (Cheltenham & County Harriers – F50) - 2:55:36 - 89.92%
3 - Carrie Hoskins (Reading Road Runners – F50) - 2:58:06 - 87.54%
Huge congratulations and well done to all England Masters and WAVA Age Graded runners.