Last Sunday, the streets of the capital didn’t just host the world’s most iconic marathon they were taken over by a formidable force from the South Wales coast. As the 46th London Marathon kicked off, 18 Porthcawl Runners stepped up to the start line to face the legendary 26.2-mile journey. But they weren’t alone. In true club spirit, an army of over 50 supporters transformed the course into a Porthcawl cheering zone that could be heard from Greenwich to The Mall.
However, the most significant number of the weekend wasn’t the mileage or times, it was the staggering amount of over £16,500 raised by our runners. This incredible sum will provide vital support for Marie Curie, Prostate Cancer UK, Cancer Research Wales, Dementia UK, PHAB, ROHHAD Association.
The Results from our runners were as always incredible and while every one of our 18 finishers showed incredible grit, we saw some truly elite performances this year. Leading the way home for the men was Harry Jenkins crossing the line in a blistering fast 2:43:03, and joining the “sub 3 hour club” delivering a masterclass in pacing for the ladies was Gaby Booth finishing in 2:59:07.
Watching Harry and Gaby break that three-hour barrier was a highlight for the supporters and an inspiration for every club member back home!! Other incredible PB’s were set by Sally Pugsley, Leanne Powis, Ben Chilvers, and India Greenslade.
Whether it was a first-time finisher or a seasoned marathoner, every runner represented Porthcawl with immense pride. The “Green Flash” vests were visible at every turn, fuelled by the deafening cheers of our 50 plus strong support squad.
While the sun shone on the streets of London on Sunday, we all know this journey truly began months ago. These fantastic results are the ultimate reward for every dark, freezing morning and every mile run against the relentless wind and rain of the Porthcawl seafront. From the grit shown during the storms of Goretti, Chandra, and Dave of early spring to the long weekend runs in the driving rain, well done, Green Flash, you’ve done the club and the town proud!
Congratulations also go to Steph Morgan who completed the Virtual London Marathon on the same day!
