London Marathon 2010
Date: 2010-05-12
Eight members of Vegan Runners UK successfully completed the London Marathon, five wearing the club kit. In the photo from the left: Cedric David, Helen Watkinson, Maria Hamilton, Peter Simpson (support), Chloe Vincent & Keith Hammond (Vegetarian C&AC). In the 2009 event we had one of our strongest teams, the highlight being our 4 sub 3-hour runners, this year the focus was on our core members. Some of our runners set large personal bests, others their first marathon or first London event. Congratulations go to all our runners who achieved the following times:
- Colin Braybrook 3:02:41
- Cedric David 3:46:51
- Verna Burgess 3:49:36
- Chloe Vincent 4:04:56
- Helen Watkinson 4:10:36
- Maria Hamilton 4:11:40
- Laurence Klein 5:12:04
- Teressa Longhurst 5:27:05
Support was given to our members at the start, during the event, at the finish and finally at the dinner table! At the Blue Start on Blackheath, Peter Simpson searched for our runners in the lining up area. Despite the early rain, he found Helen Watkinson in her upmarket rainwear or cape (well prepared for the British weather!). The rain stopped 15 minutes before the start making it easier for the cameraman. Verna Burgess had run the event in 2008 for VRUK (time 3:47) and knowing the arrangements well was located in the 'caged area' nearer the front. As the race started Helen was now easily recognisable as a vegan runner and towards the rear as the runners walked passed was Laurence Klein still wrapped up in his bin bag but soon to be unveiled as a vegan runner. Support transferred to the Isle of Dogs at Canary Wharf and in Birdcage Walk, Vanessa Hudson and James Millington had taken up position, Vanessa wearing her VRUK vest. On route to Canary Wharf, the elite women runners could be seen below otherwise on taking up position (at approx 18 miles) there was a lengthy wait for the leading male runners preceded by the leading wheelchair athletes. Colin Braybrook had a good winter season and lead up the marathon so was looking for an improved performance than in 2009. Given the high calibre of participant, even by Colin's standards his performance appears modest. Colin nevetheless was looking comfortable as he went past. Our meeting point at the Finish was the 'NO' tree as the past 2 years otherwise the 'TUV' tree is almost the furthest official meeting point away. Occupied from 1.15pm, Colin had already passed through although he was representing his local club. Last year Colin met our other sub 3-hour runners. Cedric David turned up looking refreshed as did our later runners. Cedric's training had gone very well, the hilly 20 miler in and around Cardiff on 28 March had done him good despite his protest and led Cedric to 3:46, a PB by nearly 40 mins. Chloe Vincent with the benefits of warm weather (training) in New Zealand in January achieved a more modest 4:05 by her standards and was quickly followed by Helen Watkinson whose training had also gone very well leading to a time of 4:10 and a PB by 45 mins! Next it was Maria Hamilton who did have her eye on a possible sub 4-hours until a pit stop but 4:11 is still dare I say one of Maria's better performances. At this point our meet-up was at its height with Annette Herold (holding the banner) and other relatives in support. At this point Vanessa Hudson & James Millington were being detained in Birdcage Walk, watching the runners but stuck in the middle of the road on the island trying to cross. With the event at its height, there were just too many runners passing to block one side of the carriageway to allow supporters to cross. At 4pm (6:25 hours into the event) the meet-up transferred to our Chinese vegan buffet in Old Compton Street where hopefully our remaining runners if interested would find us. On the way Andrew Knight met us and soon after arrival, Laurence Klein (looking recovered) arrived with Vanessa & James. We were easily the largest group (14 if correct) in the restaurant and were noticed by other customers. Unfortunately we had to divide up into two groups, one downstairs. Eventually towards the end of the meal we all met up again downstairs. Later we heard that Teressa Longhurst successfully completed her first marathon in 5:27 and would have loved to have met us at the finish.
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VRUK blog - latest news
http://veganrunnersuk.blogspot.com/
Vegan running shoe guide - as featured in "Vegan" Summer 2011
http://www.veganrunners.org.uk/articles/vegan_running_shoes_and_trainers_1398.html
Club Training and Meetups
The monthly London meet up and training run has a base at Regent's Park from The Hub sports facility & cafe in the north of the park. Members, supporters, or indeed anyone who would like to try out our sessions are more than welcome. Attendance at the January & March 2012 sessions were 8 & 7 runners respectively.
The next London meetup & training session is scheduled for Sunday 20 May 2012, meet 1030am at the Highgate Harriers track, Hampstead Heath for an off-road / trail session, more details to follow.
The next Birmingham meetup and training session held in Cannon Hill Park, south of the city centre has been scheduled for Sunday 13 May 2012. Meet 11am inside the park at the entrance to the mac building / cafe.
Other local or regional Vegan Runners groups include:
- South Wales VR - meet-up at open events including the Cardiff Parkrun on Saturdays at 9am
- Brighton VR - open events and the Hove Park 5K Parkrun on some Saturdays.
We are also trying to establish VR groups in
- Bristol
- Bath
- Leicester - meets at the Braunstone Park Run, 9am Saturdays
Check the VRUK diary to see if there are any dates for training sessions or event meet-ups. Alternatively, for a free 5K run, we suggest you visit Parkrun to check for a local venue. They are held weekly on Saturdays starting at 9am, you just need to register for a barcode at least a day before your first Parkrun and take a printout along.
For an idea of how recent London training sessions have turned out click here.
If you would like to arrange sessions in a different area of the UK we can publicise it through VRUK and this website. Please contact Peter Simpson on Protected email address.
Summary of 2010 Activities
Depending on the location of members, the club was represented in most regions of the UK sometime during the year. In the Winter season more members were taking part in off-road events or training for Spring marathons otherwise generally road & park races throughout the year. Here we focus on a sample of events where members met either through popularity or locality. Click title to open report.
London Marathon 2010
Eight members of Vegan Runners UK successfully completed the London Marathon, five wearing the club kit. In the photo from the left: Cedric David, Helen Watkinson, Maria Hamilton, Peter Simpson (support), Chloe Vincent & Keith Hammond (Vegetarian C&AC). In the 2009 event we had one of our strongest teams, the highlight being our 4 sub 3-hour runners, this year the focus was on our core members. Some of our runners set large personal bests, others their first marathon or first London event. Congratulations go to all our runners who achieved the following times:
- Colin Braybrook 3:02:41
- Cedric David 3:46:51
- Verna Burgess 3:49:36
- Chloe Vincent 4:04:56
- Helen Watkinson 4:10:36
- Maria Hamilton 4:11:40
- Laurence Klein 5:12:04
- Teressa Longhurst 5:27:05
Anna Finn Reaches 100 Marathons
33 Year old Anna Finn, a maths teacher and member of Vegan Runners UK, has run 100 Marathons. She seems to be the youngest woman to achieve the feat, and is awaiting news from Guinness about the World Record.
Vegan Runners Cross Country Season: Victors, Veterans and Virgins …
Winter is another busy period for several members who enjoy cross country. Vegan Runners of all abilities and ambitions have taken part in races large and small over the last few weeks. Peter Simpson reports on the South of England XC Champs held on the 30th January 2010. Beside his own well-paced race, Peter reports on Vannessa Hudson’s battle with road shoes and the mud, and a well-placed Colin Braybrook (a vegan runner competing under the St Albans Striders banner). Neil Ford marks his come-back with a victory in the Berwick Cross Country, which was ‘somewhere between four and five miles’. A winter-loving Clare Coombes has been mud-running through the cross country season, sporting her club vest, finally breaking the top 100 places.
Club Training Session Report
The London Club Training Session continues to attract a sizable core of members, at the December 2010 session in Kensington Gardens we missed the severe weather, attracting eight runners and was filmed. At the January 2011 session in Regents' Park another seven turned out. The new Birmingham session in January 2011 attracted four members as did the first London session.
Rainforest Foundation 10K, 1/11/09
The Rainforest 10K was chosen as our main event for World Vegan Day and with Vanessa in her new role as Press Secretary we had high hopes of good coverage for veganism and the club. With the experience behind her, Vanessa contacted the national press and the Vegan Society who were leading the media coverage. After last year's turnout of 8 members, the most members of clubs present, a similar number would have been good publicity.
Robin Hood Half & Full Marathon 13/9/09
The Robin Hood events in Nottingham attracted in the region of 10,000 runners this year with approaching 7,000 in the half marathon and 1,400 in the Marathon. Running for Vegan Runners UK we had Mick Morgan from Doncaster, Anna Finn of North London and James Millington of East London. In the half we were represented by Clare Coombes a local and Peter Simpson of Milton Keynes with Vanessa Hudson our support crew and photographer. To view Vanessa's album clickhere. On the eve of the events some members of VRUK & the Vegetarian Cycling & Athletic Club met up at the Alley Cafe-bar for a meal and social.
More General stories.