I’ve been looking forward to writing this one, and off the top of my head I can think of 26.2 reasons why…
And since writing that line, the reasons have gone up to 42.2…
But before we get into the latest news on marathon season, lets focus on our beloved Saturday morning 5ks, where no one is ‘tolerated’, everyone is welcome!
Especially next weekend (25th April) as it’s national Parkwalk day, which will be a lovely atmosphere promoting the fact that parkrun is for anyone and everyone, and on the day before a BIG marathon walking it might be the best idea.
Saturday 18th April – Parkrun
Folkestone
This was a pretty special parkrun as we had our ‘normal’ route back, or at least the one we’ve gotten used to for some time now, with slightly less of the top incline to run and freshly painted markers on the ground, the event was a success.
The weather tried to put a slight dampener on Folkestone’s return to form, but it didn’t seem like too long into the run that the sun was out and celebrating with us.
Roundshaw Downs
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 4 | 4 | Krzysztof KLIDZIA | 00:19:09 |
Dover Waterfront
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 5 | 5 | Stephen John MALE | 00:18:05 |
Severn Bridge (Warmup for Newport)
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 149 | 102 | Miles GAWTHORP | 00:27:32 |
Ashford
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 60 | 55 | Andrew NOBLE | 00:24:03 |
| 77 | 5 | Lesley TAYLOR | 00:24:41 |
| 288 | 95 | Lynsey TIGHY | 00:35:26 |
Crosby
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 80 | 12 | Caroline CURTIS | 00:26:10 |
Treviso
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 8 | 8 | Martin SALMON | 00:23:46 |
Rendlesham Forest
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 25 | 24 | Greg DIXON | 00:23:24 |
Colchester Castle
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 175 | 138 | John O’HARA | 00:29:03 |
Woolacombe Dunes (A hill made of sand, just what every parkrun needs!)
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 82 | 58 | Philip MAULL | 00:34:27 |
Chipping Norton School
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 13 | 13 | Simon COFFEY | 00:23:54 |
Fire Service College
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 24 | 4 | Kate EVANS | 00:25:43 |
Milano Nord
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 23 | 23 | Jacob HENWOOD | 00:20:39 |
Battersea Park (A grand day out for the Slingsby family!)
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Time |
| 45 | 41 | Guy SLINGSBY | 00:17:23 |
| 779 | 217 | Julie SLINGSBY | 00:29:03 |
| 938 | 561 | Hugo SLINGSBY | 00:31:28 |
Sunday 19th April – Kent Spring Marathon and Half Marathon
The first of three marathon based events of the report is one quite close to home, only a short trip away to Ashford, for a scenic and slightly hilly tour of the country side and a section of the Pilgrim’s Way for a full or a half marathon.
After Nas’s glory last year we didn’t actually have any marathon participants this year, but we did have two members take on the half.
Sarah Nunn had the below to say about the event:
For me this Sunday was the Kent Spring half marathon. Starting from a sunny Sandyacres sports ground,Ashford and heading out onto undulating, country roads (avoiding potholes, horses,cyclists!) towards Westwell and Charing. There was apx a mile section ‘off road’ along the Pilgrims Way..then back to Sandyacres. Finishing in. 1hr52m44… just 5 seconds off my PB set at Hastings a month ago!! 10th female and 2nd in age category.
Only 5 seconds off a PB, great work there Sarah!
We also had Dominic Shepherd take part in the event, who no doubt had a smile on his face and plenty of encouragement for fellow runners along the way, as he ran to the finish line in 2:02:52.
Sunday 19th April – Newport Marathon and Half Marathon
Next on the cards is Newport, one of the flattest marathon courses in Europe, with a high PB rate as displayed by our runners.
A route full of iconic landmarks, including: A historic castle, traditional Victorian market, transporter bridge and a modern riverfront development.
First of all we have our Half Marathon runners: Darren Crew flying home in 1:25:59 as the first member of the V55 category (66th overall), our very own quiz powerhouse Jody Stoakes finishing the run in 1:52:18, and Gary Brazier ending a strong run in 1:59:23.
Unlike Ashford we had a whole team of marathon runners at this event, led by a strong push towards this event by Gary and Darren last year.
Some incredible results across the board with most people taking part getting a PB.
First home for Folkestone was James Barney with a PB time of 3:14:00, followed by an outstanding performance from Miles Gawthorp with a PB time of 3:26:49, next up was last year’s park run cup winner Joe Carroll continuing his great running form with a 24 minute PB time of 3:33:01, close behind him was Helen Webb taking part in what she described as a ‘homecoming’ race as she grew up not far away in Cwmbran and she finished in 3:33:33 which was over a 10 minute PB, next home was Jenny ‘Twiggy’ Heathfield taking 5 minutes off her PB in the process and running for Sepsis Research in her sister’s memory in a time of 4:10:24, continuing the PB theme was fellow quizzer Kellie Williams who finished with a strong time of 4:14:30, then Debbie Parmenter adding to the PB collection with a time of 4:28:54, and adding the finishing touches to the PB masterpiece as if it was one of her cards was Amie Howard with a time of 5:05:48, supported and unexpectedly joined for the tail end of the run by Adam Ward.
Sunday 19th April – Manchester Marathon
Saving the best until last perhaps, a marathon which this time round was slightly underpopulated by FRAC, with two of our runners taking part:
Newer member Michaelangelo Siracusa had this to say about his run in Manchester:
First time out doing the full marathon distance up in Manchester this weekend gone, having only taken up running properly back in spring 2024. A real challenge, especially with lingering injuries and niggles. Sadly the circumstances weren’t quite there on the day, but I’m proud of my first attempt with 05:38:36 on the clock.Not sure I’ll be signing up for another any time soon, but it’s a big tick in the box for me as I never used to be that active when I was young!
A great first effort with some setbacks in place, and I’m sure we’ve all said at some point we wouldn’t do another marathon anytime soon, and then the temptation gets too much and the next attempt at 26.2 miles gets the better of us.
As I’m sure everyone knows by now our very own super coach herself was running not just for us but for England in Manchester, and despite some pre-race nerves she absolutely knocked it out of the park with her result, as she mentioned below:
My chip time was 3.24.31, I was representing England masters in the vet 55 age cat. I came 5th in the England championships but 6th overall in my age category for the whole marathon out of over 300!
The whole experience was amazing and something I’ll never forget. The crowd and supporters were phenomenal and I’m overwhelmed by all the lovely comments from everyone, thank you each and everyone who taken the time to message me and comment on my social media etc. love you FRAC !!! You’re the best !!
We’re all very lucky to be in such safe hands, with a coach pulling out results like this it’s no surprise that we get to write about so many club members also getting PBs and smashing results left right and centre.
I think we’d all agree that the above pictured medal would look smashing in an Art and Soles frame.
Sunday 26th April – London Marathon
Next Sunday, it’s the big one, London! and ahead of that monumental event I have a special mention for a local legend, one who regularly puts on races as well as runs them, one which 2 years ago was my best and favourite run I’ve ever done, the Folkestone Half Marathon.
Below is what Ray Johnson had to say about next week’s event:
LONDON MARATHON 2026 – He’s at it again! Ray on his way for his 26th consecutive London Marathon – supporting the Kent Association for the Blind. 26th on 26th 2026, 26 miles.
Training is going very well for this year’s event being held in London on April 26th.
This will be my 26th consecutive marathon and once again I shall be raising vital funds for the Kent Association for the Blind.
I am equally proud to run for them as I am an ambassador and have raised over £170,000 to date. (www.kab.org.uk) they in turn provide essential training and support to people who are blind, deafblind, or partially sighted, mainly in the Kent area.
Whilst I am unable to reach my best time in 2002 at 3:23:22 I certainly enjoy the atmosphere and seeing all those fabulous landmarks on the course. I also enjoy helping other runners and encouraging them to also to raise funds for good causes which motivates me.
Further details can be found at www.justgiving.com/page/rayjohnson Here you will find further information and pictures and rather nice messages.
Good luck to Ray and of course the whole squad of FRAC runners next Sunday, keep an eye out for us blue clad spectators, and my big white sign and we’ll give you a big old wave of support to help you get round.
Thankyou for reading as always, you’ll probably have a strange craving for a Snicker’s bar after reading this report, and you’ve certainly earned it, I for one will be needing a lie down after writing this, as a Liverpool fan I’m not used to writing positive reports about Manchester.
Keep an eye out for reports in the next few weeks as Joe Carroll has joined our team and will be releasing his debut report soon!