Stratford AC runners take on gruelling Snowdonia Marathon

DESCRIBED as the second toughest UK marathon, six Stratford AC athletes took on the gruelling Snowdonia Marathon last weekend.

The first Stratford runner to finish was Sam Nicholson. This was Nicholson’s first marathon for 25 years and he put in a superb performance after a busy period of racing.

Nicholson completed the course in 3.48.58, next to come in was Paul Saunders who ran an incredible race, even if the final six miles were painful to finish in 4.10.14.

Tim Tandy was next who said he had underestimated the scale of the hills finished in 4.17.17.

Next in was Sarah Odell, who in the last fortnight had developed sciatica in her left leg.

Off she went in her usual determined way, slowly she caught up with Lisa Dallison at mile 15 then Andy Brown at mile 19, finally finishing in 4.25.03.

Next in was Dallison, who struggled with lack of training finding this year tough finished in 4.38.37.

Finally over the line was Andy Brown, doing his first marathon, although he has done many ultras, in 5.03.36.

The race winner was Russell Bentley in 2.35.05, 12 minutes slower than his previous marathon, which demonstrating how tough a course it is.