In quotes and pictures: Belgravians of London Marathon 2021

Brad Courtney-Pinn, 2:33:18 (pb)

First Belgrave vest to finish.

Brad at halfway (74:05) spotting coach Matt Welsh (double fist pump) and stablemates including Arne Dumez (white cap).

Brad at halfway (74:05) spotting coach Matt Welsh (double fist pump) and stablemates including Arne Dumez (white cap).

“I had such a great day. The crowds were incredible and we had fantastic support from all the Belgravians along the route. Race-wise, I found it really hard, to be honest, a really tough one. I probably went out a bit too hard: I was on pace at 10k, then went too hard between 15 and 20k, and I just knew at some point I was gonna blow up. And it came at 30k. I just went to pieces. I managed to jog it in but still managed a small PB, so was pretty happy with that. I did really enjoy it, though - even though I was suffering, coming off the pace actually meant I was able to enjoy it more, seeing my training partners at mile 23 was great. I do want to say a special thanks to my coach Matt Welsh. He’s put a lot of time and effort into helping me with this build, and I’m really looking forward to building for the winter now.”

“I had such a great day. The crowds were incredible and we had fantastic support from all the Belgravians along the route. Race-wise, I found it really hard, to be honest, a really tough one. I probably went out a bit too hard: I was on pace at 10k, then went too hard between 15 and 20k, and I just knew at some point I was gonna blow up. And it came at 30k. I just went to pieces. I managed to jog it in but still managed a small PB, so was pretty happy with that. I did really enjoy it, though - even though I was suffering, coming off the pace actually meant I was able to enjoy it more, seeing my training partners at mile 23 was great. I do want to say a special thanks to my coach Matt Welsh. He’s put a lot of time and effort into helping me with this build, and I’m really looking forward to building for the winter now.”

Sarah Kruger, 2:51:33 (pb)

First Belle across the line.

“It was such a fun race! I died the last two miles but overall really happy with a PR. I heard so many cheers for Belgrave!” Newcomer Sarah Kruger was the first Belle to finish.

“It was such a fun race! I died the last two miles but overall really happy with a PR. I heard so many cheers for Belgrave!” Newcomer Sarah Kruger was the first Belle to finish.

Andrew Cumine, 2:34:32 (pb)

“Thanks to everyone for the big shouts on the course. Getting support like that is always a boost, especially in the later stages. I’m delighted with a 4-minute PB, even with a pitstop at mile 20!”

“Thanks to everyone for the big shouts on the course. Getting support like that is always a boost, especially in the later stages. I’m delighted with a 4-minute PB, even with a pitstop at mile 20!”

Michael McCarthy, 2:41:24

Pre-race: “I’ve signed up for Valencia as well to make up for losing a load of training to covid a few weeks ago. Hopefully I’ll try and take it easy…2:45-2:55, a long tempo effort. Who knows once it starts though.” Post-race: “Yeah, the crowd got me going. I couldn’t help it.” Michael ran 2:41 and had way too much fun, by the looks of it.

Pre-race: “I’ve signed up for Valencia as well to make up for losing a load of training to covid a few weeks ago. Hopefully I’ll try and take it easy…2:45-2:55, a long tempo effort. Who knows once it starts though.” Post-race: “Yeah, the crowd got me going. I couldn’t help it.” Michael ran 2:41 and had way too much fun, by the looks of it.

Jessica Saunders, 2:53:39

“I just want to say a huge thank you to Matt for his coaching and to all of my teammates for the huge amount of support today and with all of the training. I don’t think I ever thought I would run a time like that in my life!”

“I just want to say a huge thank you to Matt for his coaching and to all of my teammates for the huge amount of support today and with all of the training. I don’t think I ever thought I would run a time like that in my life!”

Alex Titmus, 3:13:16

“Not my day today. Struggled from around mile 16, but hung in there and got it done. Didn’t get the sub-3 I wanted, but I’ll be back!” Alex went through halfway in 1:29, just after this photo was taken.

“Not my day today. Struggled from around mile 16, but hung in there and got it done. Didn’t get the sub-3 I wanted, but I’ll be back!” Alex went through halfway in 1:29, just after this photo was taken.

Juan Carlos Casal Perez, 2:41:56

“I can’t feel my legs this morning.” Juan Carlos came 45th in the V45 category.

“I can’t feel my legs this morning.” Juan Carlos came 45th in the V45 category.

James Kelly, 2:41:37

“I've not done much training as I only recently returned from achilles tendon surgery, but I'd love to use the race as a springboard for a return to competition.” Out in 82’, back in 79…sounds like like there’s some decent spring in those new tendons.

“I've not done much training as I only recently returned from achilles tendon surgery, but I'd love to use the race as a springboard for a return to competition.” Out in 82’, back in 79…sounds like like there’s some decent spring in those new tendons.

Pierpaolo Necchi, 2:50:06 (pb)

“I’m super happy with a 32-minute improvement on my PB. This was my third marathon and the first two were extremely painful experiences. I’m really enjoying racing in Belgrave colours. Three races and three PBs over 5k, HM and Marathon since I joined!”

“I’m super happy with a 32-minute improvement on my PB. This was my third marathon and the first two were extremely painful experiences. I’m really enjoying racing in Belgrave colours. Three races and three PBs over 5k, HM and Marathon since I joined!”

Craig Ruddy, 2:25:34

“That was the toughest marathon I’ve ran. I was really in the hurt locker in this picture. I’ve been ill on antibiotics all this week so delighted to get through it in 2:25.” Returning Belgravian Craig was wearing the stripes of Inverclyde for one last time before rejoining former teammates in claret and gold this winter.

“That was the toughest marathon I’ve ran. I was really in the hurt locker in this picture. I’ve been ill on antibiotics all this week so delighted to get through it in 2:25.” Returning Belgravian Craig was wearing the stripes of Inverclyde for one last time before rejoining former teammates in claret and gold this winter.

Kieran Moriarty, 2:59:32 (pb)

Picture to follow.

Lawrence Burton, 3:04:45 (pb)

Picture to follow.

1_0_GIF_2.GIF
1_0_GIF_2 2.GIF
Mens Road&XC, Road and Cross Country, Womens Road&XCSteve GardnerLondon marathon, marathon, Brad Courtney-Pinn, Jessica Saunders, Craig Ruddy, James Kelly, Sarah Kruger