The 2024 London Marathon will be held on Sunday 21st April 2024. It is looking like another good year for ARC representation:
First to confirm places were Adam Smith (championship place from the 2023 event) and Lisa Wakeman (deferred 2023 GFA place). These were followed by Rebecca Grimshaw, Kara Nicholls, Luke White and Kevin Adams, who were all successful in the ballot. Jo Stephens joined the group when she won the only club place at our Presentation Evening. November saw the addition of new member Stephen Grice, who has a ballot place, and confirmation of Good For Age places for Phil Brayford, Claire Crook, Pete Dimbleby, Lee Harris, Anne Kelsall, Simon Rhodes and Dan Williams. 2024 began with a confirmation of a Championship place for Toby Oury and the return to the club by Laura Sprules, who has a ballot place. This almost matches our record entry of 2019.
For the 2023 race, in addition to our ten runners we had two volunteers working at the event and the usual cheer squad at mile 22. Look out for arrangements for the cheer squad nearer the time. You can find out more about volunteering here.
First to confirm places were Adam Smith (championship place from the 2023 event) and Lisa Wakeman (deferred 2023 GFA place). These were followed by Rebecca Grimshaw, Kara Nicholls, Luke White and Kevin Adams, who were all successful in the ballot. Jo Stephens joined the group when she won the only club place at our Presentation Evening. November saw the addition of new member Stephen Grice, who has a ballot place, and confirmation of Good For Age places for Phil Brayford, Claire Crook, Pete Dimbleby, Lee Harris, Anne Kelsall, Simon Rhodes and Dan Williams. 2024 began with a confirmation of a Championship place for Toby Oury and the return to the club by Laura Sprules, who has a ballot place. This almost matches our record entry of 2019.
For the 2023 race, in addition to our ten runners we had two volunteers working at the event and the usual cheer squad at mile 22. Look out for arrangements for the cheer squad nearer the time. You can find out more about volunteering here.
Our Runners:
Rebecca Grimshaw
This was Becky's reaction after finding out that she had obtained a ballot place:
"I'm thrilled to have got a place for London Marathon through the ballot after trying for the last few years. This will be my first Marathon, my longest distance being 13.1 miles. I am currently building up my mileage again after having my second child and have recently gained the confidence to return back to club. "I am determined but also nervous about marathon training, especially how I will fit it in an already busy schedule what with work and a one year old and a 4 year old to care for, but I know I'll make it work, especially with the support of my husband. "I can't wait to see the cheer squad in London and to gain everyone's support and valuable advice during my marathon journey." We are sure you will do yourself proud Becky and look forward to seeing what you can do in April 2024! |
Jo StephensThis will be Jo's first marathon. She has always wanted to run London but has never managed to gain a place - until this year when she won the club ballot for our sole club place.
As well as training, Jo will be raising money for Parkinson's UK, with both her own father and her mother-in-law affected. Jo says: "Absolutely over the moon & back to get myself a club place at last Thank you so much ARC .. My training starts on New Years Day xx" You can support Jo through her JustGiving Page. |
Laura SprulesLaura gained a ballot place but has chosen also to raise money for the Epilepsy Society. She says: "When I found out I had got a place through the ballot for London Marathon it came as quite a shock and I hadn't told anyone that I had entered the ballot thinking I wouldn't get through. Yet I found out on Mum's birthday (of all days) so it was quite a shock for all of us. I have every faith that I will do the Marathon as I'm planning on 'jeffing' the route and hopefully I'll enjoy it more.
You can support Laura through her fundraising page here |
Anne KelsallThis will be Anne's 4th trip to London, having gained the club place in 2013, then Good For Age in 2019 and 2020, deferred to 2021.
She finds the longer training runs tough going these days but is looking forward to running London once more after being in the cheer squad for the last two years. |