London Marathon Round-up, 24 Apr 2016
Phil's Bold Assault
In his heart Phil Wicks had that awful nagging doubt that he came to the 2016 Olympic trials under-cooked. A bad fall on black ice bruised his ribs and led to weeks of painful running, and he has an ongoing calf issue as well.There was nothing for it but to have a crack in a really hot British field with at least eight contenders for the three spots. After a fast opening 15k, Phil really put the after-burners on with a cruel 15:35 split which is low 2:11 pace. A tad provocative, but the other British lads were a little way up ahead, and something had to be done.
Some spectacular blow-ups occurred in the second half, and Phil plugged on gamely, before finally calling it a day after 35k. It was a noble effort and this boy is a 2:12/3 marathoner – he just hasn’t done it yet!It was great to see James Kelly back on these shores as he is currently posted in NYC. Jim was as clinical ever in a time only a little off his optimum levels.A couple of 2:56 men came next in Paul Oxley and Eduard Egelie, while James Goymour got the feel of the occasion by running 3-flat.With Manchester claiming Sam Amend and Sophie Carter, and Fee Maycock having a very rare year off, it was left to Mary Grace Spalton, Lou Blizzard and Hester Barsham-Rolfe to duel for bragging rights. After snapping away at them for 20 miles, HBR finally let her comrades go, but a brave effort from she.MGS ended up a mere 29 secs up on Lou, after a storming finish with them being inseperable at 40k. It was Lou's 50th marathon finish, and 22nd London of the last 23 years; after an injury wrought winter.Congratulations to all 11 Belgravians who completed the course. The number in brackets is the positions the Vets achieved in their categories. As can be seen, they were very consistent.16 J Kelly 2:23:481361 P Oxley 2:56:111466 E Egelie 2:56:56 (179 M45)2014 J Goymour 3:00:197650 P Cross 3:44:11 (102 M60)14242 G Sprigings 4:19:59-------------------------338 MG Spalton 3:14:34 (59 W40)354 L Blizzard 3:15:03 (62 W40)379 H Barsham-Rolfe 3:22:151471 M Noel 3:38:03 (92 W50)9013 H Brown 4:56:09