Newsletter – Issue number: 25

Vienna and London hosted this week’s spring marathons and they did not disappoint. 

Starting in Vienna, all eyes were on Phil Yates who had a highly successful build-up for this race and more importantly, remained healthy. A key session 3 weeks out gave all indications that a big PB was on. Despite a dodgy tracker which gave the coach palpitations, Phil went through halfway in 1:23 and feeling strong maintained his 3:54 average km pace, passing that all-important 32km mark, Phil went through the final 10km in 38:58, grew in confidence, and emptied the tanks in the final 2km with the last 1km uphill. A highly respectable and long-awaited 2hr 46.50 is a 3minute lifetime best and fitness to suggest there could be even more to come. Well done Phil.

Also in Vienna, big shout to Social Stryder Kris who was agonisingly close to breaking the magical 3-hour barrier with a new personal best time of 3:00:02. Well done Kris.

In London, Imran achieved his sub 4 hour target, squeezing in 3:58.26 which was quicker than last year. Imran banked some time in the early part of the course to help secure his 4hr target. This was impressive considering some of the difficulties during Ramadan and Eid. Well done Imran.  Meanwhile, top London Marathon pacer, Hafs did his usual trick which was to pace the runners metronomically through the 42km course in a time of 4hr 10min. and what time did he cross the line? 4.09.57. Amazing! Well done Hafs, I’m sure there are thousands of people grateful for your laser pacing. 

And finally, another Social Stryder, Hannah who has made huge progress in all distances over the last few years ran another lifetime best crossing the line in 3hr 14. Hannah who has joined the Social Strydz run on a few Sunday runs as well as the Mad Men of Mira & Women in the morning, performed another well-executed run and keeps getting faster every race. Well done Hannah.