Sunday 23rd April

Introducing our magnificent 2023 London Marathon stars 🦸🏼‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️

⭐️ Lisa ‘Little Legs’ Goldsmith – 3:48:18

Lisa has had a long wait to run London again after securing a deferred good for age entry for 2020 which was sadly cancelled in the pandemic.  Lisa felt privileged to still have a space, and simply ran to enjoy the experience, soak up the atmosphere and finish in her words ‘without vomiting’ 😂 She ran incredibly well and finished with a smile 😊 on her face.

⭐️ Big Si – 3:44:38

After years and years of trying to get in through the mass ballot BIG Si won our club place last year and fulfilled his life long dream of running the London Marathon.  So it was sod’s law that in 2022 he enters the mass ballot (as we all do) and gains himself a place for 2023 🤩 and we couldn’t have been more pleased to hear this BIG Si.  This year he raced round the course and finished with a superb time, shaving off a whopping 30 minutes compared to last year 🖤❤️

⭐️Michelle Hollands – 4:49:42

Our awesome C25K leader was the winner of our clubs ballot place this year🖤❤️Michelle has trained hard to run London and enjoyed every single mile.  She turned her watch off over Tower Bridge so she could soak up the electric atmosphere and have a blast.  Michelle even spotted fellow Harrier Sam Neame towards the finish line and the two were able to cross the line together in style, and amongst tears of joy.

⭐️ Wendy Quinn – 5:35:52

Joined by friends Julie and Sophie this trio have been on a mission this year to raise funds for two amazing charities, Tommy’s and St Wilfreds 💚 Amongst many fund raising initiatives, together they have organised a bingo night, a charity coffee morning and a quiz night.  They have run at sunrise 🌄, sunset 🌅, and in all weathers to get their training done.  There was never any doubt that these three weren’t going to cross that iconic finish line and they did it in style, rocking their charity vests, golden shorts and the biggest smiles.  Amazing 😻 Wendy’s fundraising page is still open, please visit www.justgiving.com/wendy-quinn

⭐️ Lady Delves 😎 – 4:46:36

Another of our amazing club legends, Frances ran her 17th London Marathon on Sunday and after yet another superb run it looks like she is well on track for number 18 with another good for age place qualifying time.  Back in 1995 Frances ran her fastest marathon time at London in 3:20:45 whilst in the V35 age category, and she now holds our club record for the fastest FV60, FV65 and FV70 categories.  Truly incREDible, there’s no stopping her 🤩

⭐️ Maria Stanford – 6:04:25

Maria certainly rocked the 26.2 miles at London on Sunday, adding that glitz and glamour as she does in all her races.  Maria last ran London in 2018 – the year of the hottest London 🔥 on record so conditions were slightly cooler this year for our beautiful glamour queen, who like everyone else, soaked up the true London Marathon experience 💕

⭐️ Pete Daws (The Ledge) and daughter Zoe – 4:53:09 ❤️

Running a marathon together was a dream come true for this beautiful father/daughter team and they totally smashed it.  Zoe has been training hard for the last few months under coach Pete’s guidance, well you wouldn’t want anyone else’s advice other than that of our incredible Harrier ‘The Ledge’ who still holds the club record for the fastest marathon time – London Marathon, April 1993 – 2:37:10.  Together they enjoyed each mile, finished hand in hand, raised a bucket load of funds for the awesome British Heart Foundation ❤️, and ran for all the dad’s and daughters out there.  I know we were all glued to the tracker 👀 and there was not a dry eye in the house to see them cross the line.  What a treasured memory you will both hold.  Zoe’s fundraising page is still open – www.justgiving.com/fundraising/zoe-upperton

⭐️ Wendy Robson – 3:50:26

She wanted sub 4 and she got a sub 4, huge congratulations Wendy 👏🏻 Pounding the hills with her running buddy and partner in crime Graham Pundye, team ‘Pins and Puns’ have certainly put in a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment over the past few months to their marathon training.  This has clearly paid off and you should be so proud of another fantastic achievement, with so much more to come 💪🏼

⭐️ Sam Neame – 5:01:25

This was a dream come true for Nemo 🐠 Her second marathon (Beachy Head was the first) and her first ever road marathon.  Since joining the Harriers in 2015 Sam has gone from strength to strength with her running.  She managed at short notice, early this year, to gain a London place through the awesome charity – Cancer Research UK 💜 Coach Adam has been by her side every step of the way, her determination, excitement and hard training has truly done her proud as she crossed the line, hand in hand with Michelle, to an emotional finish and one of which you should be truly proud of.

⭐️ Hannah Deubert-Chapman – 4:28:35

Our beautiful cross country Hannah represents another success in the London Marathon ballot and an entry truly deserved.  Watched on by her sister Rosie, Mum Tina and fabulous partner Robin, Hannah clearly had the best day ever.  She even managed, in amongst 48000 other runners, to run alongside Frances, Sam, Pete and Zoe.  Hannah always thinks of others and her London experience was no exception as she chose to run and raise funds for local based charity The Wolo Foundation 💛 What a star she is ⭐️Her fundraising page is still open at www.wolo.enthuse.com

⭐️ David Woollard – 2:57:39

He’s done it again!  This is David’s third sub 3 hour marathon.  David should have been on his way back from running the 2023 Boston (USA) Marathon 💙💛on April 23rd but sadly due to visa issues he had to forgo his opportunity.  Never one to be deturbed he focused his energy on running this years London Marathon, through a good for age place, with the aim to once again achieve sub 3 hours and a Boston Qualifier.    I think we can safely say that his next stop next year will be Boston USA and I already know he has that US visa firmly locked in the safe ready to go.

⭐️ Robbie Proietti – 7:00:17

Robbie chose to run the virtual London Marathon this year, to be a part of something special and to run in admiration of our team of fellow Harriers up in London 🥲 Robbie’s route involved the cuckoo trail from Hailsham to Heathfield, around Heathfield, back down the cuckoo to the Sham and around the town.  Along the way he bumped into many Black and Red supporters 🖤❤️including Els, Sandra, Leo 🐾, Darren and Matt Southam with a little fuel and refreshment stop at the home of Fluffy and Tinks.  The man is a machine and an inspiration to us all.

⭐️ Barry Burgess – 4:18:17

Having ran the Brighton Marathon just a few weeks before with friend Katy, Barry stormed across the line of the London Marathon in a superb time, achieving himself a superb marathon PB.  Truly amazing stuff Barry 🖤❤️

⭐️ Kaz Breese – 5:36:27

Kaz was on a plane at the time of the London Marathon, jetting off to the other side of the world – Australia.  Not one to ever quit a challenge, and once the jetlag had eased, she got herself out onto the streets and into similar weather to the UK ☔️ to complete the 26.2 mile vitrual London.  Amongst the kangaroos 🦘 and koalas 🐨 she bagged herself a superb time of 5:36:27. Enjoy the rest of your adventures down under gorgeous.

We truly could not be prouder of our team and the team spirit that our runners and spectators showed leading up to the race and on marathon day.  Huge, huge congratulations to you all 🤩

Keep wearing those medals with pride, you’re all such an inspiration.