There were perfect running conditions in Manchester on Sunday 28th April when Rachel Bodsworth set off for her second marathon. The 5000 runners set off from outside the Manchester United stadium and were well supported by locals throughout the course. Training hard through the winter cold and snow paid off as she managed to run a negative split and knock 19 minutes off her previous 4h15 time run at Brighton in 2012. Rachel's chip time showed 3h56.04 a great achievement supported by some great training sessions and a lot of encouragement from the Hares.

Hadleigh Hares London Marathon Heroes

After 3 months of solid marathon preparation the ‘Big Day’ finally arrived for 5 determined looking Hadleigh Hares. Not daunted by the fact that the Hares ‘leading lady’, Penny Grayson had withdrawn though ill health at the eleventh hour, the 5 remaining intrepid Hares approached the start at Blackheath with a heady mix of nerves, excitement and terror!

With the promise of near perfect weather conditions for marathon running, although the weather did heat up significantly in the later stages, the Hares toed the start line ready to step out into the ‘unknown’ and fulfil their own personal journey’s.

As ever the crowd support was unrivalled round the fantastic London route, if anything reaching new heights, in support of the worldwide running community, following the tragic events at Boston earlier that week.

Brian Airlie, considered by many as Britains ‘best’ postman, also showed what an accomplished runner he is too, leading the Hares home in 3 hrs 47 min & 9 sec, closely followed by his training partner Dave Dulake in 4hrs 1 min & 3 sec, agonisingly close to the ‘magic’ 4 hour mark. Not far behind Corinna Hussey was having a ‘blinder’, smashing her marathon PB set at Dublin 18 months earlier by a whopping 35 minutes, finishing in 4 hrs 12 mins & 16 sec.

Smiling Nikki Vince had a wonderful day lapping up the big race atmosphere & achieving a superb 4 hrs 24 min 47 sec debut marathon, taking home a finishers medal & memories that she will always cherish. Last but not least ‘triathlon starlet’ Liz Jeeves, having already shown her great shorter distance potential in the build up, proved her true versatility with a courageous 4 hr 30 min 1 sec finish, following a stunning half way split.

A big well done from everyone at Hadleigh Hares and here’s to next year!

Submitted by Mat Blacoe

Three members of Hadleigh Hares kicked off the Spring marathon season by taking part in the Brighton marathon on Sunday 14th April 2013. John Scaife and Simon Fenn were making their marathon debuts whilst Anne Wilkinson was taking part in her second Brighton marathon.!

The day dawned cloudy and damp but very humid. During the course of the morning the cloud burnt off to bring brilliant warm sunshine. Something none of the British runners had experienced through their long, cold winter training.

Despite the weather John Scaife came in with a phenomenal debut time of 3:01:31. Simon Fenn produced an equally impressive time of 3:56:51. Anne Wilkinson finished, but was pleased to be taking part after being ill, through much of her later stage training.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims of the Boston marathon bombing but also with the loved ones of Sam Harper Brighouse, who unfortunately, lost his life, whilst running the Brighton marathon.

Submitted by Nancy Hammond

I have completed my first marathon!!!

Finished the Paris Marathon in 3hr 48m 37s. It was a cracking day weather wise, and good fun, albeit with a few moments when you thought "this would only happen in France". Like having the bag drop one side of the Arc de Triomphe, the start the other, but not stopping the traffic while 40,000 people try to cross the roundabout!!

Submitted by Tim Ryder

Marathon Fever has gripped Hadleigh Hares Running Club this year, with unprecedented numbers of runners making their final preparations for Spring Marathons. First off is Tim Ryder competing in the Paris Marathon, followed by marathon debutants John Scaife and Simon Fenn in the Brighton Marathon on 14th April. Anne Wilkinson also makes the picturesque journey to the South coast determined to beat her time from the previous year.

London plays host to a phalanx of Hadleigh Hares on the 21st, where marathon 'veterans' Brian Airlie and Corinna Hussey are accompanied by marathon first timers, Dave Dulake, Liz Jeeves, Nikki Vince and triathlon 'star' Penny Grayson, who has Barbara Sanders long standing Hadleigh Hares Ladies club record of 3hrs.31mins and 12 seconds firmly in her sights.

Completing the marathon series Rachel Bodsworth travels north for the Greater Manchester Marathon on 28th April, which starts in front of the iconic Old Trafford Stadium, on target to beat 4 hours following her debut at Brighton the previous year.

9 Hares were among the 1700 runners who took part in the Colchester Half Marathon with many using it as a final test before the Spring Marathons. It was a very quick opening 2 miles from the Football club into town before a sharp rise up North Hill and the High Street. The course followed Ipswich Road before heading out into the countryside and the villages of Langham and Boxted then heading back to the finish line at the Football club. There were some encouraging times especially from the girls with a good debut half marathon for Emma Ratcliffe, PB for Rachel Bodsworth and an excellent sub 1hr 50min from Triathlete Liz Jeeves.

Results

Seven Hares turned up on a bitterly cold Sunday morning to run the Tarpley 10/20 mile held near Bury. As is custom the race, itself superbly organised by Bury Pacers, is seen as an ideal tester for the spring marathon season and the race was a sell out. Notwithstanding the lack of good weather the route, a single scenic undulating lap with a few hilly drags was challenging yet enjoyable! The Hares, in training for the Brighton, London, Halstead and Manchester marathons respectively used the race as part of their training. Brian Airlie (2.40.30), Dave Dulake (2.47.45), Simon Fenn (2.55.23) all posted excellent sub 3 hours for their efforts with Anne Wilkinson posting an encouraging 3.54.10. Despite a troublesome Achilles, Matt Hunter nevertheless impressed by setting a PB of 1.07.17 with Rachel Bodsworth thrilled to smash her 10 mile time from 2012 setting a PB of 1.20.53. Corinna Hussey was equally thrilled to also set a PB of 1.22.40 which placed her 3rd in her age category. Well done all.

On a bitterly cold, wet windy February morning 5 Hares lined up with 600 other runners to run the Great Bentley half marathon. Run by many as training for a Spring marathon Great Bentley offers a fast flat loop around the quiet but exposed Essex countryside where if the wind blows you certainly know about it.

John Sciafe, currently training for Brighton bought the Hares home in a superb time of 1.18.54, followed by Tim Ryder in 1.38.27. Simon Fenn, recently returned from a long term injury posted 1.47.37.

Corinna Hussey, currently training for London had her very own "domestique" in Kate Thomas whose brilliant support from start to finish pushed Corinna to a PB of 1.51.08 with Kate coming in alongside. Andrew Stewart finished in 2.01.36.

On a cold wintry Sunday morning 3 Hadleigh Hares tackled the Benfleet 15 mile race, expecting it to have been cancelled because of the severe conditions. It was 15 miles of road and off road running over all terrains across loads of snow and some juicy hills to add to the excitement.

The results are as follows with 373 runners completing the course:
109th place Brian Airlie in a time of 2.03.07
148th place Steve Hunt in a time of 2.10.34
149th place Dave Dulake in a time of 2.10.35

Well done to all runners in such extreme conditions.

Submitted by Brian Airlie

A club record entry of 21 Hares travelled with great optimism to the picturesque location of Ickworth Park, Bury St Edmunds for the 2013 Suffolk County Cross Country Championships.

The County Championships act as the trial race for selection to represent Suffolk at the nationally prestigious CAU Inter Counties Cross Country Championships and a few nervous looking Hares knew they had a good chance of selection.

First off round a very challenging 2 lap, 8k course were the 10 strong Ladies team, spearheaded by team leader Penny Grayson and superbly supported by Trudy Avis, Kate Thomas, Clare O’Neil, Rachel Bodsworth, Kitty Rigby, Nikki Vince, Jackie Kirk, Helen Norman and Becky Bayliss. Such was the team spirit and commitment to the cause, that every lady runner relentlessly battled all the way to the finish to support their team mates, in a selfless, awe inspiring display of cross country running.

Returning to fitness following a bout of bronchitis Penny produced a battling 26th position, closely followed by Trudy and Kate ‘running out of their skins’ in 34th and 37th respectively. Close behind Rachel, Kitty and Nikki were having their own personal ‘battle royale’ with their places constantly changing right to the line. Hot on their heels Jackie, Helen and Becky rounded off a fine team display.

Having watched the Ladies complete their two laps of muddy woods, undulating parkland and 4 traverses of the steep climbs and descents of ‘the bomb hole’, the men knew their 3 lap course would be a true test.

Team leader John Scaife was in determined mood, keen to build on his growing reputation as a promising distance runner. He didn’t disappoint with a fine 14th place, receiving that all important County invitation as he exited the finishing funnel. Mat Blacoe, Matt Hunter and James Rush packed closely behind in 32nd, 36th and 39th positions respectively. A brief wait saw Brian Airlie ‘The flying postman’ storm into the finish in 69th position, followed rapidly by Steve Hunt in 75th, cross country debutant George Pryor and up and coming Stuart Hunt.

When the team positions were calculated the men only then realised what a good day they had had, finishing 5th team overall only a tantalizing 6 points behind 4th!

To round off a fine day for the Hares, talented Toby Rankin competed in the 6K under 17 mens race. Despite limited preparation due to his academic studies, Toby showed what a true ‘thoroughbred’ he is, apparently floating over the muddy terrain to produce an excellent 9th position and county selection.

The Hares team made their way home tired but smiling, knowing their fine team performances had re-established Hadleigh as a team to be reckoned with once more, on the County distance running scene. Such performances are not achieved by individuals alone and a big thank you should go to the friends and family who tirelessly cheered the team on, with particular thanks to Gale Pryor and Mike Rosbrook for their help and experience on the day.

Submitted by Mathew Blacoe