Wow. What just happened. Mind boggling to think a human can run at that pace for 26.2 miles. It’s insane.

I’m talking about the first sub 2 marathon of course. Achieved by both Sabastian Sawe and Yomif Kejelcha. But I want to talk about our own super heroes.

We had 5 of the team in the capital this weekend for the London Marathon. Jamie was back for a second pop, and managed to beat his time from 2025 by 6 minutes, clocking a 3:22:10 personal best. He ran such a good race, over taking 1250 runners, despite his pace dropping slightly in the final few miles.

Phil had a blast and having only been on the team for 10 weeks, he was delighted with his 4:10:11, his 2nd fastest marathon and it was only some hip pain in the final 3 miles which prevented him from pacing a sub 4 perfectly. Phil will be back. Boston the next big one in his sights.

Lucy H was taking part in her first ever marathon raising money for charity, over £5000 for Demelza, an incredible amount. The latter starters had the challenge of the midday sun and Lucy paced herself well from the start, and crossed the line in 5:49:52.

Tina was taking part in her 2nd road marathon, and whilst she didn’t hit her A-goal, she looked strong running past us at mile 25 and helped many a runner en route to reach the Mall in one piece. Tina achieving that goal in 5 hours and 50 minutes.

Ellie, we all love Ellie, what an inspiration. Having won the Hastings Runners ballot she has committed herself to her training and even a late ankle niggle couldn’t stop her getting the job done. I had a moment of panic when tracking the wrong Ellie Miller (predicted time of 9 hours 20 minutes), but I needn’t have worried, with our own version smashing the 6 hour mark in 5:59:59.

For a second year running I was there to spectate and whilst it’s obviously it’s an incredible event, with so much money raised for good causes, if feels a bit overwhelming at times.

The “Run Faster & Shout Louder” title applies to my feelings a little. And I believe social media has a large part to play in so many of us having these desires to be noticed.

My advice is “do you”. Be comfortable with your own goals. You don’t have to run the whole race carrying a fridge, or run it backwards, to get noticed. In the galleries it felt like the crowd were having a screaming contest, who could shout the loudest, who could make the biggest sign, whose speakers were blaring out the trendiest tunes.

Running is not a competition. Not unless your name is Sabastian Sawe or Yomif Kejelcha. You don’t have to prove a point to anyone. This is a hobby, a chance to take ourselves away from the madness that life throws at us. Just enjoy it.

Of course it’s nice to have goals to work towards, to improve our fitness, get a little bit faster. But you don’t need 1000 likes on instagram or facebook to determine whether what you’ve achieved is a success or not. The most important opinion that matters is your own.

6 days earlier Kevin was in America to tackle the Boston Marathon. Unfortunately he had picked up a niggle a few weeks back but battled bravely to reach the finish line in around 5 hours, and vowed to return, and also listen more carefully to his coach when it comes to tapering.

Away from the noise and madness of the streets of London, we had 3 PBs at Hastings parkrun on Saturday. Maria (26:43), Shain (18:11) and Kirsty (26:47 5k PB) all ran excellent times with the sun shimmering on the sea.

Michael, whose medal rack for 2026 is buckling under the weight, added another sub 100 minute time at the Royal Shakespeare half marathon in Stratford Upon Avon.

Well done to Patrick and Conal for running strong times in the Icklesham 1066 trail race. I wondered how many screaming fans they had to endure.

I’m so proud of all the Team🍊 who worked so hard in their preparation for London and gave it their all. It feels like the marathon season now is drawing to a close and we can move on from the madness that comes with it, and concentrate on training smart and making ourselves proud with our commitment, week in week out.