James Bosher started 2021 in outstanding form, and in the space of a week he managed to break both the 10k and the half marathon club records, both already held by him. At the St Claire’s Hospice 10k, James won the race recording an impressive 32’ 57”. Not content with his achievement, he went on to reach a personal and club record of 72’ 55” in the Essex Half Marathon on 18th April, finishing 10th overall among an impressive field of athletes.
James was not alone in winning silverware for GFDR in April, however: Declan Evans achieved second place in the East Hanningfield Narrative Trail Marathon (3:51’47”) and 3rd place at the ‘On Your Marks’ Essex Trail event.
Reaping the rewards of all that lockdown training, PBs were recorded by Arron Clark (10k, 34’ 56”) and Luca Predebon (HM, 85’ 43”).
April also saw many members taking part in ultras: Heidi Shubrook ran a 31 miles event in around 5 hours, Rich Hynes completed the South Downs Way 50 in 8h 48’, and Hayley Smith conquered her longest ultra, the Rose of Shires (56.5m) in 11h 20’ whilst husband John ran an impressive 40miles.
Completing the picture, the following GFDR members also took part in races in the past 2 weekends: Lee Prowse (1:47’33”), Tony Karas (1:39’49”) and Emma Baldock (2:26’13”) completed the Essex Half Marathon, Gillian Robertson (1:50’32”) ran a Phoenix Half Marathon, and Naomi Moss took part in a fundraising social half marathon. Jenny Suckling, Glenda Jackson, Colin Jackson and Declan Evans also took part in the Springfield Striders narrative trail on Easter Monday.
