London Marathoners - 2021
The 2021 London Marathon was held on Sunday 3rd October in a change to the usual Spring date, due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Pete Dimbleby was the first ARC member to finish, in a time of 02:58:19, in his 19th London Marathon.
Tom Archer completed the race in 03:07:38.
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Matthew Emery raised over £2,800 for local charity Acacia Family Support, having first signed up for 2020 and running this virtually as his first marathon.
Matthew said before the marathon: "I'm married with a five year old daughter. Following a traumatic birth, my wife was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. Some years ago, a close friend was affected by postnatal depression and Acacia were instrumental in supporting the family. These experiences made me more aware of the struggles new parents can face. I am honoured to be able to run the London Marathon for Acacia and hope to raise a ton of money for them, but also to raise awareness of the services they can provide to families affected by PND." |
Matt completed the marathon in a time of 03:59:07. Congratulations Matt on conquering 4 hours in your first official marathon.
Ian Pallett completed this, his first marathon, in a time of 04:11:20
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Anne Kelsall ran London 2021 for fun, sporting a club vest, after twice running for charity.
Anne finished in a time of 04:39:25. |
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Roxy Babla completed her first London Marathon in 2016 and October 2021 was her fourth, including 2020's virtual version, running for the Phab Kids team.
Before the race Roxy said: "I feel so fortunate to get my first place for the London Marathon through the ballot which truly is very lucky. This year I am running for a children's charity Phab Kids. Being a teacher I am very passionate to support this charity. "I completed the Virtual London Marathon in 2020, which was truly a challenge but a great experience. This year I look forward to running the London Marathon in the streets of London with fantastic route, seeing the landmarks and soaking up the great atmosphere with the spectators". Roxy completed the marathon in 05:39:24. |
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Sarah Bishop ran for Alzheimer's Society in what was her first marathon.
Sarah said before the marathon: "I've been so lucky to get this charity place for Alzheimer’s Society in memory of my Nan who passed away with the crippling illness. As her memories were being taken away she would have good days and talk about her memories. "It’s been a lifelong dream to run the London marathon and as Nan would say 'go make memories'. Dementia may have taken our Nan but it has made me cherish every day and making new memories is a blessing." Sarah finished the marathon in 05:58:18. Well done Sarah! |
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Gemma Archer ran this year's Marathon in London after completing the distance for the first time in the 2020 virtual version.
Gemma said before the marathon: "I’m hoping to finally get to run in London in October 2021. I successfully gained a ballot place to run in 2019, however gave birth to my 4th child 17 days before the race so deferred my place. I took part in the virtual London Marathon in October 2020 and had an amazing experience, so London is going to have to be something pretty special to top it." Gemma completed the marathon in 06:39:56. Well done Gemma. |
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Emma Preston ran London 2021 for the charity Phab Kids.
Emma was lucky to gain a ballot place for 2019 and enjoyed it so much she signed up to run for Phab Kids the following year, but had to run that virtually. Before the race, Emma said: "I have chosen Phab because I look after children in my before and after school club, some who have special needs and some that have a very difficult past. Phab promotes the coming together on equal terms of disabled and non-disabled people to make more of life together - through exciting and challenging holiday projects for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people and 170 local Phab Clubs across England and Wales with 8,000 members. I’m hoping to raise £2000 for this amazing charity, |
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"The more people that know about Phab, the greater the impact will be in helping more young disabled and disadvantaged children become independent and the money you give will quite literally open up a world of opportunity for these children and young people.
Emma completed the course in 07:20:11. Well done Emma.
Emma completed the course in 07:20:11. Well done Emma.
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Luke White was our fastest Virtual London Marathon runner, completing this, his first marathon, in conjunction with the Chester Marathon in a time of 03:14:08.
Before the event Luke said: "After running various 10K’s & half marathons, I am now running my first ever official marathon which is the: Chester Marathon on October 3rd, 2021! In aid of many young individuals suffering from many various mental health issues, I’m going to be raising money for ‘Young Minds’ mental health charity. They are a mental health charity who help many young people with ongoing mental health issues and are an all-round excellent charity!" |
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Lorraine Beesley also ran London Virtual combined with Chester Marathon, raising money for Bowel Cancer UK. She achieved a PB time of 03:36:51, setting a new club FV55 record and setting herself up for a Good For Age place to run London in 2022.
After deferring London in 2019 due to injury, running 2020 virtually and missing out on a GFA place in 2021 due to an administrative error, London 2022 will hopefully be Lorraine's London year. |
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Martin Wall completed the Virtual London Marathon at the Arboretum, finishing in a time of 04:18:26. Well done Martin
Victoria Bird and Kevin Galer repeated their 2020 achievement of walking the marathon in laps of the Arboretum, which they completed in 07:36:26. Victoria is continuing to raise money for the British Lung Foundation and Kevin was raising money for
Well done both.
Well done both.
Lynda Elmore ran the virtual London Marathon locally, in full Minnie Mouse costume, pushing her dog Archie round the route in a buggy and completed the 26.2 miles in a time of 08:15:21. Well done Lynda.
Lynda ran in support of Birmingham Children's Hospital, in recognition of what they've done for her granddaughter earlier in the year.
Lynda ran in support of Birmingham Children's Hospital, in recognition of what they've done for her granddaughter earlier in the year.
Rachel Antoine completed the Virtual London marathon, covering the marathon distance for the first time, by walking. She completed the marathon in 08:55:13. Well done Rachel.