New York Marathon, 2nd November, 2014.

There was plenty of Belgrave interest on the streets of NYC as James Kelly and Hester Barsham-Rolfe dug as deep as only they know how. To inspire his ladies' captain the TM betted HBR a hot chocolate she couldn’t get within an hour of Jim. Then in a moment of madness he said he’d run her a bath of the stuff. This got her attention.

Hester ran a fine PB of 3:22:04, but with Jim going through the half in low 70, it looked as though H would have to continue to wallow in mere H2O. But our man takes up the story:

Well, I predictably paid the price for an over-enthusiastic start, but with such a fierce wind, I thought that the conditions might be a bit of an equalizer, and so a 2:20 clocking might just put me in the top-15 to top-20.  Unfortunately I had to bear the brunt of the wind the whole way (as I was either running alone, passing those whose wheels were coming off before mine or being shadowed), and by mile 17 I could feel that it was going to be a long run home.  I hoped for the winds to change direction coming out of the Bronx, but unfortunately the best we got was a crosswind on 5th Avenue, and I was really crawling by the time we got to Central Park.  It's disappointing, because I had gotten myself into good shape, but I don't regret taking the risk, enjoyed the support of the crowds, and finished in pieces, but more convinced than ever of the magic of the marathon.

It was a great run by Hester, particularly given the conditions.  Yet further proof that the Belles are not only a force to be reckoned with on the domestic stage, but now, increasingly, on the international stage as well!

I'll be resting up for a couple of weeks before getting in a couple of cross country races in December and targeting the USA HM Champs in mid-January as a chance to get towed round to a fast time.

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Many congrats to both parties.  We look forward to bringing you a photo of Hester bathing in Cadbury's finest, just as soon as we have stockpiled enough sachets.  Oh yes, and James's time?  2:25:56.