2022 London Marathon

For all the photos see the 2022 Photo gallery page

Fifteen Farnham Runners enjoyed taking part in the London marathon, some with ballot places, others with Good for Age places and some running for charities. Between them they raised around £21,200 in sponsorship, taking the total raised by FR in marathons to over £277,000 since 2000. They praised the value of speed sessions held by the club as well as the support through their training and on the day.

Their own comments after the race show just how challenging and memorable this huge event is, as well the sense of personal achievement felt by the finishers.

Chris Matthews finished in an excellent time of 2 hours 50 minutes exactly. He wrote the next day:

“I’m still struggling but it was worth it! The run went well, even though I started in the red wave and spent the first few miles dodging between the fancy dress participants (I think I passed the Cookie Monster and a Xmas Tree at mile 10) that had been set off in front of us. I set off strongly and spent the first half making sure I didn’t go too fast and was able to hold my target pace for the first 24 miles. I had to dig deep in the last 2 miles. I am extremely pleased with taking 1 minute 45 seconds off my previous best (and some 57 minutes off my last London marathon time back in 2008). I still need to find one or seconds for a sub 2:50 time. I guess us runners are never happy!

I also came 149th in my age group (40-44) in the World Age Group Marathon Championships which I had previously qualified for by running 2:53 in Boston US. I’ve now run in 4 of the 6 world major marathons (London, Berlin, New York and Boston) and hope to one day run in the other two (Chicago and Tokyo).”

Matthew Wernham was delighted to be 12th in the M65 age group with a super time of 3:20:31.

“I hadn’t realised quite how much support there was from people lining the route. Quite amazing! The atmosphere really helped to keep me going. Great support from Farnham Runners along the way. I also thought that the whole event was incredibly well organised. All in all, a great day out.”

Sarah Hill, battling injury problems, was more than happy to clock 3:21:56 this year and have time to take in the sights.

Mark Maxwell, with less time for training than ideal, was pleased to get comfortably under 3:30 with 3:28:25, especially after winding his way forwards from a far back starting wave.

Linda Tyler ran her 40th marathon, 16th London and her third fastest despite running (and winning her age group) in the Solent half marathon the previous week. She sliced another 2 minutes from her previous F60 club record by clocking 3:42:10.

Rachel Morris completed the event for the first time and her time of 3:55:18 will give her an elite wheelchair entry for next year. See separate entry below.

Bridget Naylor commented:

“I am really pleased with my time of 4:07:01 as I easily achieved my target of under 4.15. My training started late due to a torn calf muscle in May. I got a Good for Age place and was really chuffed and surprised to get a second medal. The run has enabled me to get closer to achieving the London Classics. I had hoped to do it in a year so I completed ride London, a 100 mile cycle ride starting and finishing in central London in April. Sadly the Serpentine Swim was postponed due to the Queen’s funeral so I will complete it hopefully next year. The support from Farnham Runners team was amazing. It was lovely to see some friendly faces amongst the massive crowds. Definitely a day I will remember for a long time!”

Toria Dick ran her 46th marathon and her fourth this year, after Boston, Stockholm and Giants Head. She was looking forward to a rest and found this race tough, finishing in 4:21:12, about half an hour down on her Boston and Stockholm times.

New to running Jane Barry had a baseline fitness from cycling and other sports but her first run in over a decade was 16 weeks before this, her first marathon, after a surprise successful ballot entry. She explained:

“I followed the Beginners, and then Improvers plan on the London marathon website, at least for the long runs. Once I felt confident about running 5 to 7 miles, I joined Farnham Runners. I was nervous about the pace and distance but soon found there were many levels and many friendly people to run with, which made training so much better. Running during the heatwave was interesting! I was very fortunate to have some family supporting my long runs to motivate me on and provide water stops along the way.

I had the best day ever! It was just so amazing, and the support and crowd along the way we’re phenomenal. I’d heard it was good, but it is difficult to fully describe what it is like. How could I ever top such an amazing first experience like this? I ran 4:31:53 and am delighted with my achievements, especially for my late forties! The whole day goes so quickly in the end. It is truly phenomenal and if I can do it, anyone can!”

Colette Grist wrote

“London was my first marathon and I set myself a target of sub five hours not really knowing whether I could achieve it. I am over the moon with my time of 4:44:00. I have raised £2,145 for the amazing work of the local charity, Helen Arkell Dyslexia. Overall I loved London with the amazing support, crowds and atmosphere. The last 6 miles were really tough! The support, company, training and advice from Farnham Runners really helped, especially with track sessions and group long runs.”

Vicky Goodluck reported:

“The training was really tough due to the heat of our summer, but being part of Farnham Runners, and therefore a team, made a huge difference. Planning routes, encouraging each other and chatting about hydration, fuelling and kit was all so much easier when shared with others in the same situation. Such great experience by those in our club who have run lots of marathons and no better time to receive wisdom when out in the trails! London was my second marathon and this time I was lucky enough to be offered a place for Breast Cancer Now. I’m so pleased to say I’ve nearly raised £3000 for them which has made the tough times easier to bare. In December last year I was diagnosed with breast cancer and know this charity is a huge support and reference point in times of uncertainty. Luckily I was treated quickly and successfully and able to accept the place at the London Marathon this year.

Due to the heat and work commitments it was sensible to avoid putting time pressures on myself so just went into the event with the aim of enjoying it. Finishing in 4:57:35 was wonderful, I ran/walked the last few miles as this seemed a good way to spread the physical load on my screaming leg muscles and I finished with a big smile on my face.

A huge thank you has to go to my wonderful family, especially my husband, for all the support when the miles needed seemed too tough and the mental pressure too difficult to see past. I am a very lucky Goodluck.”

With little time to train, Ali Wilde had to settle for a time of 5:07:41, almost an hour slower than her three previous attempts at the distance in Sydney, Hong Kong and London in 2019. She raised a huge sum of over £2000 for Lymphoma Action.

Sarah Dobinson said:

“I hadn’t recovered from a fall I had in training so I knew I couldn’t match the times I’ve done previously in London and other marathons. I was running for Hampshire Search and Rescue Dogs and think I will have raised at least £600. I decided to run in search kit and carrying a donation bucket to give me the opportunity to talk to people along the way, explaining what the charity does. We actually train to be dog handler search teams to search for vulnerable missing people. My own dog Rufus is currently in training and came along to support me! My time was 5:40:19.”

Shirley Perrett, who was going well and in line for a Good for Age place for next year until 21miles, reports:

“The rest of my run did not go to plan as I fell and hit my head on a kerb. The doctor would not let me continue until I found someone who would run the last 5 miles with me! Craig Tate-Grimes, our Farnham Runners race director, and one of the Farnham Runners supporters who was over a mile away at the time, volunteered. What a star he is! I crossed the line eventually in 6:27:43 and we just made it to the coach home in time. My training for this, my 6th London marathon and 18th marathon in total, had gone well. I raised £900 for Cancer Research.”

Alison Mungall was pleased to complete the course for the second time in 7:19:30. She wrote:

“I was absolutely delighted to complete the 2022 Marathon. Unfortunately I had Covid in June and this played havoc with my training. However, I was determined to run as my son Gregory and I were supporting a charity close to our hearts, Anthony Nolan, and I raised over £2,000. It was a wonderful day and the support of the spectators kept me going. Although it was a challenge, I’m very proud to have finished and we’ve both applied for 2023!”

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Rachel Morris – London Marathon – by Jacquie Browne and Rachel Morris

Running the London Marathon has always been Rachel’s absolute dream. Rachel has experienced crowds before when competing at Paralympic Games and the many other sporting events she has qualified for around the world. But apart from at the Olympics Games in London, the crowds and the cheering previously witnessed have been nothing like the volumes experienced at this year’s London Marathon.

Rachel said:

“Being able to feel that level of support is overwhelming and so encouraging and what is needed to get you through that epic distance in my existing road chair.”

Rachel ran with the masses on behalf of “Disability Challengers” in a time of 3 hours 55 minutes. By this achievement she secured funds of over £10,000 in sponsorship for them.

Next year Rachel will compete in the elite wheelchair section. This will tick one of those sporting achievements that Rachel has had on her list for a long while. Rachel will need to fundraise to buy a special high performance chair to compete in the elite category. The usual qualification time is under 3 hours, with the right equipment and training Rachel feels that this is way within her limits.

“Being part of a club such as Farnham Runners has been a fantastic experience for me it has enabled me to understand what goes into grass route sports and the challenges to arrive at elite level. I am a strong advocate of inclusivity and being part of Farnham Runners and some of the other local Farnham Clubs has shown me and others that with passion and determination we can all enjoy our sport together and grow and improve and learn from each other.”

Rachel went to London as part of the Farnham Runners Team of runners and supporters.

“It was an incredibly special day for me, the crowds were amazing a so welcome. Farnham Runners have not only supported and encouraged me through my training but also at the marathon itself. We did it together and I feel that all sporting barriers are falling. It will always be challenging for those with disabilities and/or health issues and I am so proud to be part of a club that is embracing and pushing this forward”