London Marathon Preview Feb 2008

Several Richmond and Zetland Harriers are currently in training for the forthcoming London Marathon, which takes place this year on Sunday 13th April. A total of seven Harriers will be on the start line in Greenwich Park, following several months of high-mileage running. They are now nearing the peak mileage weeks of their training, before tapering in early April to allow their bodies to recover in readiness for tackling the full 26.2 miles across central London. As Jon Orange has opted out this year, in order to concentrate his efforts on the track and field season in Summer, the front runners for the club will come in the form of Tad Zaranko and Shaun Purkiss, who will both be aiming for times between 2.45 and 3 hours. Tad will take his place at the Blue Start and has been training hard for this, his first marathon. Meanwhile team-mate and training partner Shaun has also been running well in training and hopes to go under 2.50 on this occasion, which is his 10th marathon.

Tamsin Clarke

Three ladies will take on the challenge this year, with Tamsin Clark, Kelley Haniver and Sarah Gregory all training hard to be in the best shape possible for the day. Both Tamsin and Kelley are aiming for a sub 3.15 finish, which will see them qualify for the ladies elite start next year, should they wish to take up the gauntlet again. They already have elite places this year with the Army team and through solid results gained throughout the year as a whole. Sarah meanwhile qualified from last year’s time and will go from the Green Start. She is still looking for a clocking close to the 3.30 mark, which has proved elusive due to injuries in previous years, but she feels stronger and better prepared this time around and would like to be within striking distance of it come the day. Ian Hepworth has also accrued some solid training this year, in addition to having run the Amsterdam Marathon in October, which saw him run a fantastic time of 3.48.56. It remains to be seen whether he will make a welcome return as Fred Flintstone, who is always a crowd-pleaser along the 26.2 mile route, which is always crammed with cheering spectators.

Jack Baldwin is another newcomer to the marathon and has decided to trade in his training as a sprinter for the time being and concentrate on the longer distance. It is a new challenge and direction for him as he wants to try his hand at something completely different within the running world.

With six weeks left, all athletes will be looking to train to their full potential at this time, with long runs of between 20 and 23 miles on a weekly basis, allowing the body to build enough strength and stamina and to adjust to the longer distances in preparation for race day. It is a physically and mentally demanding schedule, which requires a lot of time and dedication, especially during the Winter months, so many will be glad when they find themselves standing on the start line in April with most of the hard work behind them.