The Squad

Twelve Tortoises headed south in good spirits after a strong four months of training hoping to hit the heights in this years Manchester Marathon.

After checking in at the hotel followed by a carb loading meal at the local Frankie and Bennies it was time for an early night ready for the following days run.

The weather gods could not have been kinder as twelve thousand runners awoke to perfect running conditions with barely any wind and overcast cloud it was set to be a day to run for a PB.

The race starts and finishes at Old Trafford Football Club and though it is called The Greater Manchester Marathon it does not actually run into the city centre it actually runs mainly through the borough’s of Trafford passing through areas such as Altrincham, Sale, Brooklands, Timperley, Urmston and Stretford, the support is one of the main success of this race as the crowds are very good especially around the sections of the course close to the tram stations as friends and family cross the course catching runners at different areas of the race.

The Tortoises did the club proud with nine PB’s and five runners finishing in under 3hrs 28 mins, Stewart Swan in his first marathon finished with a strong time of 3.27.34 but Jim Phillips despite a troublesome foot injury led the way breaking the 3 hour barrier and finishing in 2hrs 59.57 a fantastic achievement and reward for the hard training runs he has put in.

There was also PB runs for Thomas Slocombe, Matt Pearce, Rob Carroll, Darrell Dunscombe, Mags Barbour and Hazel Mcfarlane

An excellent weekend  was rounded off with a few drinks followed by a good meal and plenty of laughs, now where shall we head to next year?

Official Chip results

http://www.chiprace.co.uk/results.aspx?CId=38&RId=932&EId=1

Stewart Swan

Jamie & Darrell

Mags & Hazel

Jim Phillips heading for a sub three hour