2025 Ballot Draw Results
We got confirmation that we have 1 London Marathon place available as a club so we arranged a ballot. This took place at the committee meeting 3rd December.
1 Jason Littlewood
2 Wayne Gallagher
3 Nitesh Thakrar
4 Sarah Gray
5 Antonio Treglia
6 Paul Bentham
7 Julie Nokes
8 Mark Jones
2025 Ballot Draw
It is that time of the year when everyone knows if they have made it into next year’s London marathon. If you didn’t, then there may be another chance for you.
Below are listed all the pre-requisites to enter the ballot:
1. You must have entered the London Marathon 2025 ballot and have a rejection slip or email.
2. You must have been fully paid up with EA membership, 1st claim member of the Harriers for 12 months. (from the date of the Marathon)
3. If your name was drawn from the ballot last year you are not eligible to enter the draw this year.
4. To have volunteered on at least 2 occasions in the year at either Showground Relays, Staffs Knot 5, Harriers Handicap, or Cross Country hosted by the club.
5. Send us proof of the rejection either a screenshot or pdf by midnight 30th November to info@staffordharriers.co.uk
We are still awaiting confirmation of the club ballot place.
The ballot will be drawn on the 3rd December at the Committee Meeting (provided that the club entry is confirmed).
The following people are in the draw.
Sarah Gray
Nitesh Thakrar
Jason Littlewood
Julie Nokes
Mark Jones
Wayne Gallagher
Antonio Treglia
Paul Bentham
TCS London Marathon Results
Sunday 21st April 2024
Pos |
first |
surname |
Place (Gender) |
Category |
Place (Category) |
Half |
Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13772 |
Vanessa |
Parsonage |
3267 |
18-39 |
1893 |
01:43:58 |
03:41:47 |
28989 |
Richard |
Booth |
19863 |
45-49 |
2666 |
02:01:51 |
04:25:59 |
49919 |
Lesley Jane |
Hughes |
20189 |
65-69 |
209 |
02:54:33 |
06:09:56 |
2024 Ballot Draw Result
We got confirmation that we have 1 London Marathon place available as a club and so arranged a ballot. This took place on Sunday 10th of December.
1. Vanessa Parsonage
2. Kerri Delaney
3. Sue Jones
4. Antonio treglia
5. Nitesh Thakrar
6. Charlotte Mitchell
2024 Ballot Draw
If you’ve entered the London Ballot and had the “Sorry” email, you could be entered in the club draw.
We got confirmation that we have 1 London Marathon place available as a club and we were talking about having the ballot on the 10th of December, after the Handicap.
For London 2024 Ballot Draw the following rules apply:
1. You must have entered the London Marathon 2024 ballot and have a rejection slip or email.
2. You must have been fully paid up with EA membership, 1st claim member of the Harriers for 12 months. (from the date of the Marathon)
3. If your name was drawn from the ballot last year you are not eligible to enter the draw this year.
4. To have volunteered on at least 2 occasions in the year at either Bare Wrist, Showground Relays, Staffs Knot 5, Harriers Handicap, or Cross Country hosted by the club.
5. Send us proof of the rejection either a screenshot or pdf by 9th December to info@staffordharriers.co.uk (please list the event you helped at).
Good luck everyone!
The names will be drawn out of a hat in December.
I will list the people below who have contacted us so far and meet the above rules.
Nitesh Thakrar
Charlotte Mitchell
Sue Jones
Vanessa Parsonage
Kerri Delaney
Antonio Treglia
TCS London marathon
Sunday 23rd April 2023
Place (Overall) |
Name |
Place (Gender) |
Category |
Place (Category) |
Half |
Finish |
PB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
10536 |
Pete Chell |
8312 |
18-39 |
4105 |
01:48:00 |
03:37:15 |
|
18774 |
Rhys McDowell |
13665 |
18-39 |
6624 |
01:48:44 |
04:01:30 |
|
27220 |
Ruth Edwards |
8507 |
60-64 |
175 |
02:09:49 |
04:30:02 |
PB |
27215 |
Marie Larivoire |
8504 |
18-39 |
4390 |
02:09:48 |
04:30:01 |
|
28704 |
Steve Babb |
19471 |
55-59 |
1143 |
02:08:01 |
04:35:39 |
|
31891 |
Tom Davall |
21182 |
18-39 |
10009 |
02:16:44 |
04:46:59 |
2023 Ballot Draw result
The draw for the London Marathon place has taken place and the results are:-
1st Marie Larivoire
2nd Simon Bromley
3rd Nitesh Thakrar
4th Kerri Delaney
Congratulations to Marie.
The club is awarded the place via England Athletics for the number of EA members we have. The more members the more places we get. see below for conditions.
2023 Ballot Draw
If you’ve entered the London Ballot and had the “Sorry” email, you could be entered in the club draw.
We think we’ve got a club place for next year’s London Marathon being held in April (we will get confirmation by the end of November). Usually, we don’t get much time to nominate someone. So we need you to act quickly.
For London 2023 Ballot Draw the following rules apply:
1. You must have entered the London Marathon 2023 ballot and have a rejection slip or email.
2. You must have been fully paid up with EA membership, 1st claim member of the Harriers for 12 months. (from the date of the Marathon)
3. If your name was drawn from the ballot last year you are not eligible to enter the draw this year.
4. To have volunteered on at least 2 occasions in the year at either Showground Relays, Staffs Knot 5, Harriers Handicap, Cross Country hosted by the club.
5. Send us proof of the rejection either a screenshot or pdf by the end of November to info@staffordharriers.co.uk (please list the event you helped at).
Good luck everyone!
The names will be drawn out of a hat in December.
I will list the people below that have contacted us so far and meet the above rules.
Simon Bromley
Nitesh Thakrar
Marie Larivoire
Kerri Delaney
London 2022 Race Results
The following Harriers took part.
Pos |
Gender Pos |
Name |
Category |
Cat Pos |
Half |
Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1362 |
1292 |
Matt Sargent |
18-39 |
666 |
01:27:11 |
02:56:16 |
7128 |
5742 |
James Found |
18-39 |
2579 |
01:44:18 |
03:37:38 |
8841 |
1908 |
Vanessa Welham |
18-39 |
896 |
01:49:03 |
03:45:23 |
12651 |
9507 |
Richard Rea |
18-39 |
4305 |
01:41:54 |
03:59:21 |
18442 |
5350 |
Melonie Deakin |
50-54 |
576 |
02:00:07 |
04:23:32 |
20739 |
6272 |
Ruth Edwards |
02:11:53 |
04:32:18 |
||
30795 |
10983 |
Melanie Gorman |
50-54 |
1213 |
02:23:34 |
05:18:20 |
London 2021 Race Results
Well done for Harriers that took part in the London Marathon 2021
Place (Overall) |
Place (Gender) |
Place (Category) |
Name |
Club |
Runner Number |
Category |
Half |
Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2089 |
1987 |
454 |
Phil Hilsdon |
Stafford Harriers |
25635 |
40-44 |
01:29:19 |
02:59:50 |
10613 |
8082 |
856 |
Justin Green |
Stafford Harriers |
6882 |
50-54 |
01:57:08 |
03:52:56 |
14232 |
10456 |
4828 |
Jason Littlewood |
Stafford Harriers |
21171 |
18-39 |
01:52:00 |
04:07:59 |
16415 |
11840 |
1789 |
Simon Bromley |
Stafford Harriers |
7956 |
45-49 |
02:01:47 |
04:21:27 |
24694 |
16618 |
7568 |
Andy Robinson |
Stafford Harriers |
10357 |
18-39 |
02:07:00 |
04:55:03 |
28845 |
10213 |
1107 |
Mel Deakin |
Stafford Harriers |
4814 |
50-54 |
02:13:38 |
05:20:32 |
London 2021 Ballot Draw Results
The draw for the club place in the London Marathon took place at the March committee meeting.
Congratulations to Jason Littlewood
Order of draw.
1. Jason Littlewood
2. James Bream
3. Mark Silvester
4. Alan Jones
5. Rich Booth
6. Sam Bream
7. Antonio Treglia
8. Sarah Bromley
9. Ian Hodkinson
10. Ruth Edwards
11. Liam Duggan
London 2021 ballot draw
Not long now until those who’ve entered the public ballot get their coveted place in the London Marathon, scheduled for October 2021.
But fear not, if you don’t get a ballot place, you may still be eligible for the club draw.
Due to Covid-19, we’ve changed the entry requirements for this year to enter the draw. All you need is to be a fully paid-up member for a year and to produce your email or letter to the club confirming you’ve had a “No” for a ballot place. Your name will then go into the hat for a chance to be drawn in early March and represent Stafford Harriers at this amazing event.
Update 8th Feb 2021 – for some reason the email from the London Marathon organiser is being rejected by our email system. So please convert your rejection email to a pdf or take a screenshot and send that to us.
Update 22nd Feb 2021
We have set a closing date of 28th February 2021 to get your rejection emails to us.
The following people have contacted us (via our email address)
Ian Hodkinson
Sarah Bromley
Richard Booth
Jason Littlewood
Sam Bream
James Bream
Alan Jones
Ruth Edwards
Antonio Treglia
Liam Duggan
Mark Silvester
London 2020 Ballot Draw
5th November the draw was taken for our London Marathon club place. Being affiliated with England Athletics we get a number of places dependant upon the number of EA members we have.
Congratulations to Mel Deakin.
Names as drawn out –
1. Mel Deakin
2. Scott Kelsall
3. Jason Littlewood
4. Liam Duggan
5. Vanessa Welham
6. Rachel Marsden
7. Nathan Tierney
8. Justin Green
9. Ruth Edwards
10. Kerry Robertson
11. Simon Bromley
12. Alan Jones
13. Graham Williams
14. Richard Crump
15. James Bream
16. Lisa Sanzeri
17. Sam Bream
For 2021 Marathon Draw the following rules will apply:-
1. You must have entered the London Marathon 2021 ballot and have a rejection slip or email. (No photocopies)
2. You must have been a fully paid up with EA membership, 1st claim member of the Harriers for 12 months. (from the date of Marathon)
3. To have volunteered on at least 2 occasions in the year at either Showground Relays, Staffs Knot 5, Harriers Handicap, Cross Country hosted by the club or Cannock Chase Park-run (when Harriers are responsible for providing marshals)
London Marathon 2020 Ballot Draw
London Marathon will be letting people know from Monday (7th October) whether they have been successful or not in getting a place for next year’s race.
If you’re not successful please don’t get rid of your rejection letter or email.
The club will have a single club place to give to one of our members. We select the lucky member by holding drawing a name out of a hat.
All Rejection slips/emails to be handed into a committee member, coach or session leader by 31st October or emailed to info@staffordharriers.co.uk
We also have a few rules:
1. You must have entered the London Marathon 2020 ballot and have a rejection slip or email. (No photocopies)
2. You must have been a fully paid up 1st claim member of the Harriers for 12 months. (From date of Marathon)
3. If your name was drawn from the ballot last year you are not eligible to enter the draw this year. These were Mark White and Julie Nokes.
Good luck everyone!
The names will be drawn out of a hat at the next committee meeting on November 5th.
I will list the people below that have contacted us.
Scott Kelsall
Jason Littlewood
James Bream
Ruth Edwards
Rachel Marsden
Mel Deakin
Alan Jones
Kerry Robertson
Venessa Welham
Graham Williams
Samantha Bream
Simon Bromley
Justin Green
Liza Sanzeri
Nathan Tierney
Liam Duggan
Richard Crump
London Marathon 2019
Sunday 28th April 2019
Only one Harrier in the event this year. Mark White and Julie Nokes won their place in our club ballot draw. Mark couldn’t take part due to injury but Julie ran and ran well she was within a minute of a PB.
Place (Overall) |
Place (Gender) |
Place (Category) |
Name |
Club |
Runner Number |
Category |
Half |
Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
29034 |
10010 |
402 |
Julie Nokes |
Stafford Harriers |
24755 |
55-59 |
02:24:03 |
04:54:49 |
London marathon 2019 ballot draw Results
Only two places awarded this year.
Last year it was 3 (due to fall in member numbers we are expecting only two this year) and once assigned they couldn’t be transferred if someone gets injured.
So here are the first six people drawn out by the committee.
1. Mark White
2. Julie Nokes
3. Phil Hillsdon
4. Alan Jones
5. Ruth Edwards
6. Mel Deakin
London marathon 2019 ballot draw
London Marathon will be letting people know from Monday whether they have been successful or not in getting a place for next year’s race.
If you’re not successful please don’t get rid of your rejection letter or email.
We don’t know how many places we are going to be given for the marathon but it is likely going to be two.
All Rejection slips/emails to be handed into a committee member, coach or session leader by 31st October or emailed to info@staffordharriers.co.uk
We also have a few rules:
1. You must have entered the London Marathon 2019 ballot and have a rejection slip or email. (No photocopies)
2. You must have been a fully paid up 1st claim member of the Harriers for 12 months. (From date of Marathon)
3. If your name was drawn from the ballot last year you are not eligible to enter the draw this year. These were Paul Higginson, Kev Darby and Dean Hibbitt.
Good luck everyone!’
The names will be drawn out of a hat at the next committee meeting on November 6th.
People that have email us so far
Julie Nokes
Mel Deakin
Rachel Marsden
Simon Bromley
Ian Hodkinson
Ruth Edwards
Lisa Sanzeri
Jason Littlewood
Phil Hilsdon
Minnie Charlesworth
Jennifer Beckett
Chris Elsley
Graham Williams
Liam Duggan
Alan Jones
Mark White
London trip 2019
Stafford Harriers have for many years travelled together to London for the London Marathon staying overnight the night before the big race. This year Happy Days Coaches are put on a one night stay with transport to registration and to the race start. For spectators they will be taken into London and then everyone will be picked up together Pall Mall for the journey home.
The cost is £119 pp sharing a twin room.
Below are full details of the trip and a phone number to contact and book.
london Race Results 2018
Sunday 22th April 2018
Alex Langford raised £2500+ for children with cancer uk.
Race results so far. Please email us if we have missed someone.
PLACE OVERALL |
NAME |
CATEGORY |
PLACE CAT. |
HALF |
FINISH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 |
Phil Hilsdon |
40-44 |
388 |
01:24:23 |
03:11:02 |
6032 |
Paul Higginson |
40-44 |
1073 |
01:41:41 |
03:41:02 |
8853 |
Kev Darby |
45-49 |
1143 |
01:44:48 |
03:56:18 |
9321 |
Nia Nokes |
18-39 |
1171 |
01:52:05 |
03:58:22 |
15398 |
Alex Langford |
18-39 |
5217 |
01:58:43 |
04:27:55 |
19715 |
Alan Jones |
50-54 |
1464 |
02:07:50 |
04:46:18 |
21631 |
Dean Hibbitt |
40-44 |
2760 |
02:00:28 |
04:54:15 |
London trip 2018
Stafford Harriers have for many years travelled together to London for the London Marathon staying overnight the night before the big race. It has always been organised by The County Staff Club. This year Happy Days Coaches are put on a one night stay with transport to registration and to the race start. For spectators they will be taken into London and then everyone will be picked up together near the finish for the journey home.
The cost is £117 pp sharing a twin room.
Below are full details of the trip and a phone number to contact and book.
London marathon 2018 ballot draw
Tuesday 8th November 2017 9.00 pm
Names drawn out in order –
1. Paul Higginson
2. Kev Darby
3. Dean Hibbitt
4. Shelley Burns
5. Charlotte Ward
6. Andrew Carter
7. Jason Littlewood
8. Craig Harris
9. Chris Elsley
10. Ruth Edwards
11. Ian Hodkinson
12. Debs McDermott
13. Simon Bromley
14. Steve Vaughan
15. Kerry Robertson
16. Rich Davies
17. Wayne Vaughan
18. Liz Simcox
19. Mel Deakin
20. Alan Jones
21. Sandra Smith
22. Georgina Coggins
First 3 have the ballot places
London Marathon 2017
23 April 2017
Place overall |
place gender |
place category |
name |
runner no |
category |
half |
finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2114 |
2028 |
1172 |
Phil Hilsdon |
32638 |
18-39 |
01:22:23 |
03:01:53 |
2944 |
2785 |
208 |
Ian Wood |
27677 |
50-54 |
01:33:24 |
03:09:16 |
4105 |
3771 |
344 |
Michael Dobson |
26010 |
50-54 |
01:36:22 |
03:17:01 |
5409 |
622 |
123 |
Michelle Fox |
26916 |
40-44 |
01:40:25 |
03:25:31 |
5693 |
5007 |
2386 |
Ryan Nokes |
31641 |
18-39 |
01:42:51 |
03:27:12 |
14203 |
3474 |
1863 |
Natalie Godfrey |
26786 |
18-39 |
01:55:31 |
04:03:50 |
17233 |
12683 |
Ed Smith |
26965 |
02:01:58 |
04:16:52 |
||
29332 |
9819 |
1732 |
Julie Petrek |
41876 |
40-44 |
02:30:26 |
05:07:23 |
29382 |
9845 |
1738 |
Rachel Marsden |
22966 |
40-44 |
02:24:18 |
05:07:41 |
35424 |
22408 |
10970 |
David Kumar |
51430 |
18-39 |
02:37:55 |
05:51:32 |
London Marathon Draw 2017
At the committee meeting on Tuesday 6th December the draw was made for the club places in the London Marathon.
Heather Bennett
Ruth Edwards
Rachel Marsden
Reserves
1st Frank Evans
2nd Richard Davies
3rd Karen Murray
4th Alan Jones
London Marathon 2017 Club ballot
We have been allocated 3 places for next year’s race.
The draw will take place during December 6th committee meeting. First 3 to get places and 4 reserves to be drawn but all names will be drawn to ensure fairness & transparency.
Usual rules on eligibility apply are on within the London Marathon page of our website.
Physical Rejection slips (no photocopies) to be given to any committee
member, please put your email address on the rear.
email rejection slips to be forwarded to info@staffordharriers.co.uk Please ensure you include your name.
In either case by 29th November 2016.
Good luck
The rules for eligibility are as follows.
1. You must have entered the London Marathon 2017 ballot and have a rejection slip. (No photocopies)
2. You must have been a fully paid up 1st claim member of the Harriers for 12 months. (From date of Marathon)
3. You must have run races as a Harrier or helped out at Harriers races on at least 6 occasions in the last 12 months.
4. If your name was drawn from the ballot last year you are not eligible to enter the draw this year.
Names of people in the draw for 2017
If you have handed in paper versions please can you email info@staffordharriers.co.uk so that we can check your document has arrived.
Craig Baxter
Heather Bennett
Shelley Burns
Georgina Coggins
Kev Darby
Richard Davies
Ruth Edwards
Chris Elsey
Frank Evans
Alan Griffin
Spencer Holland
Alan Jones
Rachael Marsden
Richard Rea
Charlotte Ward
Bill Whitworth
London Marathon 2016
24th April 2016
Report Chris Elsley
23 Harriers were among the 39,000 who took to the streets of London for the famous London Marathon.
Phil Hilsdon (2.47.03) was the only one to dip under the three hour mark and finished a superb 648th place.
Mark Bridgwood (3.04.56), Andrew Locke (3.09.44) and Ian Wood (3.17.32) came inside the 200 minute barrier.
Name |
Time |
|
|---|---|---|
Phil Hilsdon |
2.47.03 |
648th place |
Mark Bridgwood |
3.04.56 |
|
Andrew Locke |
3.09.44 |
|
Ian Wood |
3.17.32 |
|
Kevin Darby |
3.29.50 |
|
Mark Orchard |
3.35.25 |
|
John Greatholder |
3.57.47 |
|
Jane Bisiker |
4.04.29 |
|
Debbie McDermott |
4.05.15 |
|
Alan Jones |
4.07.55 |
|
Liz Simcox |
4.08.07 |
|
Mark Bentley |
4.21.12 |
|
Angela Brookes |
4.23.27 |
|
Ed Smith |
4.32.25 |
|
Tina Darby |
4.45.51 |
|
Sarah Johnson |
4.46.45 |
|
Dave Cook |
4.47.01 |
|
Rachel Darbey |
4.47.58 |
|
Wendy Sears |
4.50.34 |
|
Sally Liggins |
4.50.48 |
|
Martin Moore |
4.58.00 |
|
Angela Charlesworth |
5.59.40 |
|
Annabel Evans |
6.27.28 |
London Marathon Ballot 2016
At the committee meeting on Tuesday 3rd November the draw was made for the club places in the London Marathon. This year the London Marathon Company has cut the number of places available to club runners and so this year we only have three instead of the four we have had in the past.
The names drawn out, in order were.
Mark Bentley
Rachel Darbey
Liz Simcox
The first four reserves were
Wiliam Gray
Julie Noakes
Frank Evans
Paul Higginson
London Marathon 2015
Place overall |
Name |
Runner no |
Category |
HALF |
FINISH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
905 |
Ryan Nokes |
30443 |
18-39 |
01:26:12 |
02:51:48 |
1486 |
Matthew Woodman |
1203 |
18-39 |
01:27:58 |
02:57:47 |
1616 |
Phil Hilson |
22114 |
18-39 |
01:23:32 |
02:58:36 |
3046 |
Ian wood |
31762 |
50-54 |
01:33:21 |
03:10:51 |
3273 |
Michael Dobson |
31272 |
50-54 |
01:33:32 |
03:12:29 |
3295 |
Kevin Darby |
21919 |
40-44 |
01:30:57 |
03:12:36 |
3831 |
Ian Hodkinson |
8023 |
40-44 |
01:34:51 |
03:16:05 |
3933 |
Steve Copnall |
42022 |
18-39 |
01:30:55 |
03:16:57 |
4468 |
John Gomersall |
22083 |
40-44 |
01:38:14 |
03:20:48 |
13972 |
Chris Elsley |
22050 |
45-49 |
01:50:16 |
03:59:55 |
14727 |
Chris Owen |
28329 |
40-44 |
01:58:33 |
04:02:54 |
16140 |
Shelley Burns |
5052 |
18-39 |
01:54:19 |
04:08:53 |
19444 |
Karen Davies |
28810 |
50-54 |
01:56:59 |
04:21:35 |
22410 |
Richard Davies |
1499 |
40-44 |
02:08:55 |
04:32:24 |
23408 |
Graham Williams |
29071 |
70+ |
02:14:42 |
04:36:27 |
27858 |
Tina Darby |
46754 |
50-54 |
02:21:18 |
04:56:00 |
28449 |
Ruth Edwards |
2048 |
55-59 |
02:21:18 |
04:58:45 |
30645 |
Rachel Marsden |
4982 |
40-44 |
02:21:17 |
05:12:17 |
34963 |
Holly Wright |
41627 |
18-39 |
02:34:25 |
05:54:01 |
35826 |
Nikki Calladine |
35951 |
18-39 |
02:49:56 |
06:09:52 |
35827 |
Maria Davies |
46750 |
40-44 |
02:49:57 |
06:09:52 |
36061 |
Frank Evans |
7606 |
70+ |
02:54:27 |
06:16:11 |
LONDON MARATHON 2015 BALLOT
The rules for eligiblity are as follows.
1. You must have entered the London Marathon 2015 ballot and have a rejection slip. (No photocopies)
2. You must have been a fully paid up 1st claim member of the Harriers for 12 months. (From date of Marathon)
3. You must have run races as a Harrier or helped out at Harriers races on at least 6 occasions in the last 12 months.
4. If your name was drawn from the ballot last year you are not eligible to enter the draw this year.
LONDON MARATHON 2011
Here is a list of the Harriers who are running in the 2011 London Marathon. If your name is not on it then let me know as we want as many people as possible watching out for your yellow vests on the tely. We have 16 so far. Anyone else?
Steve Babb
Mark Bentley
Dave Chittem
Frank Evans
Mike Jones
Chris Hollinshead
Sally Gray
Karen D Murray
Chris Owen
Lisa Percox
Dave Preece
Kim Preece
Rob Proctor
Liz Stanyer
Kirsty Sephenson
Bernard Wilkes
Bill Whitworth
THE LONDON MARATHON IN 2010
Fairly humid conditions provided an extra challenge for the runners competing in 2010 and a few of our contingent suffered disappointing runs for other reasons: But well done to everyone who
finished, particularly Chris Hollinshead who bettered his 2009 time by more than 6 minutes.
London 2009
Of particular note in the performances were:
Tom Hobbins, who knocked 14mins off his previous PB with a superlative effort that landed him in the St Johns Ambulance tent for a while at the end of the race,
and Mark Bentley who achieved a “Good for Age” time that gives him a guaranteed entry for 2010.
Race Day Checklist
Race day is approaching rapidly so you need to have a checklist of things to think of and take with you on the day:
- Make sure your travel arrangements and travel has been booked in advance, it saves last minute panic’s.
- Kit – prepare your race day kit in advance (see check list below), never wear new kit or shoes on the day, it may look good but if you get blisters it will hurt a lot in the latter stages.
- Eat well, plenty of carbohydrates in the last 3 days and drink lots of water, have a good pasta meal early on Saturday evening and just a light breakfast 2/3 hours before the start.
- Get a massage during the week before the race if you can.
- Do not panic if you missed some training last minute cramming does not work.
- Avoid alcohol in the last week, plenty of time to celebrate after the race.
- Rehearse your race mentally, be positive and confident.
- Get to the start nice and early.
- Use the loo’s early and avoid an unpleasant delay.
- Drink a little at each water/sports drink station.
- Warm up lightly, jog for 15 mins or so to get your muscles warmed up.
- Find your start place early, wear an old T.shirt that you can throw away once you get started, there is nothing worse than being freezing cold before you start.
- Don’t go too fast in the first few miles, it is far better to be slightly slower in the early stages than to be in front of your target plan.
- Make use of all aid stations on route, if your vest is chaffing get vaseline from the St Johns helpers it will make life more comfortable.
- Enjoy the experience – not many people will ever have the guts to do what your doing – be proud.
- When you start to get tired focus on the reason for doing this and think of the money you will have raised – enjoy the crowd and soon you’ll see that finishing line!
- After the race take a carb snack or sandwich as soon as possible it will really start to aid recovery.
- If post race massage is available be sure to use it as it helps recovery.
- Try to collect your sponsorship monies as quickly as possible, show your medal to your sponsors and be proud of a wonderful achievement.
Kit checklist for race day
• tracksuit
• hat and gloves
• sweatshirt
• umbrella
• vest or t-shirt
• vaseline
• pants & shorts
• number and pins
• socks
• waterproofs
• race shoes
• directions
• dry socks for after race
• money for phone OR mobile phone, to give everyone the good news when you’ve finished
• towel
• shampoo
• food
• plasters
• kit bag