Juliet lined up with the Elite lady's field and was on her way at 9am.  The masses followed 45 minutes later with Carnies Brydie Bray, Carol Culley, Judy Jameson and Steve Phillips in amongst them. 

Juliet was soon into her groove as the elite field thinned out on the way down to the river.  Aiming for the 3 hour mark, she was pacing it expertly, going through 10K in 42:05.  The halfway mark after Tower Bridge was passed in 1:29:05.  The real halfway mark, as all marathoners know is the 20 mile mark.  Juliet's training would have to come into it's own now.  She pressed on relentlessly and crossed the line in a gnat's tadger over 3 hours.  She was "delighted" and was giving us a wave/high five on the BBC interactive as she crossed the finish line, the 1st Cornish lady home. 

Brydie's recent form was pointing towards an excellent marathon time.  You just knew that when the clock showed 4 hours she'd most likely be showered, changed and in the nearest pub!  Well, that must have been how it panned out.  She had a good 17 minutes to spare, not really time enough for any woman to powder her nose and get to the pub but hey, you'd have to beat Martin Lel to do that!!  (Do i like living dangerously?!).  That drink was well deserved, an excellent run.

Judy and Carol had been training and racing together in the build-up.  The club's allocated marathon places were in safe hands.  This was Judy's first marathon.  Carol had done Lochness (2006) and Dublin (2007) and got her PB down to just under 5 hours.  Once again they were running together and doing things just right.  The training and tactics paid off.

Judy's arms were aloft in celebration as they both crossed the finish line together.  A fantastic debut time for Judy and another massive chunk off of Carol's PB (at this rate she'll be on the women's elite start next year!) 

Here's the Results we have so far:

Juliet Knowles            3:01:05  a PB by over 7 minutes!  New Carn Runners' Lady Marathon record.

Brydie Bray                3:43:39  another PB!

Carol & Judy              4:44:10  crossed the line smiling and waving with another 2 PB's!!

Steve Phillips              5:10:36  another fine debut!

Reports from the runners:

Virgin Marathoner Jude reports :

The journey was under way with Carol finding my house no bother, thank goodness, early for the train much to Carols surprise and much to my relief. The train journey was quickened by the task of a quiz supplied by other competitors on the train and the carrot of winning the European Lottery millions, with the money raised to buy tickets. London loomed and Juliet isn’t just quick during the races but pretty nippy on the underground as well. The Hotel was in a great location for the start but the thought of getting up the stairs to the top floor after the run was a bit worrying.  Alison the loo worked and the towels were fluffy, better than Malta hey. Nobody told me Carol was nocturnal though!

Sunday morning dawned and the porridge was like glue, can I still run I wonder? It was rather pleasant sitting on the grass watching the big screen, looking for Juliet amongst those big names, couldn’t see her, she should have worn the hat. Next thing come on Jude get yer kit off its Sunday morning after all, long run time! Here I am in a large group of people it suddenly dawned on me I’ve got to run a marathon now, its finally here, keep talking Carol and then I won’t start panicking.

Great atmosphere and the pacing was going well, and then we had to walk/ shuffle around Cutty Sark. Oh well we were still on time. As the race progressed we were doing our usual yes chatting not just to each other but also to the other weird and wonderful people along the way, especially the firemen. A Womble just went past! London Bridge was the best part of the race for me it was just something else, but no sign of Sandy or the Carn Poster with Carol’s smiley faces on it. We knew you were there Sandy and thanks for your support. We had to stop again halfway didn’t know why at the time, someone told us later there was a gas leak or something. We had lost the target time along the way, but we were still running. Carol ran over to hug and kiss a strange man, oh no, its ok its her son. No walls in sight yet!  During the last five miles we had to do lots of bobbing and weaving between the other people who tended to just stop in front of you. We passed that silly women in her bra and Knicks does she know they are see through when wet, well all of London do. Right Carol the end is here arms aloft smile for the cameras and sod the watch. 

The hardest bit was trying to keep walking after finishing, to collect our bags before we could sit down, it was pretty cold as well as we had two soakings the last with hail.  Soon recovered after our drinks went down and a change into dry clothes. A quick stop in a Subway sarni café, hit the spot and we eventually ascended the dreaded stairs. A Steak and a pint was all it took to see me off to bed for an early night, not like some Night owls, how’s the head Knowlesy.

Great Experience everyone should do it, just for the atmosphere and London Bridge.

Mrs Knowlesy says….

The weekend began when Ceri arrived at the Knowles residence at 0700hrs for a 0915 train from Redruth on Friday 11th April! Mr K was still snoring Zs, making the most of his beauty sleep before the stress of the weekend began…

We met our fellow Carnies, Carol C & Judy at the station. Carol was dragging what appeared to be a body bag……..kit for every eventuality!!!

Before we knew it, we were approaching Paddington after 5 hours of banter with other Cornish runners. Pete Sargent had even organised a quiz on board with a trophy for the winning club. After seeking help from other commuters and pestering Barry D, we still had to make do with the consolation prize, a TWIRL between us which we kindly donated to Ceri – she was travelling light……..an apple and a pair of PJs (bottom half only!!!)

Richard joined the Carnie clan in Greenwich on Saturday afternoon having endured 5 hours on the train with CAC (more particularly, Viv Bray!)……poor lad, he was in need of a beer. We pitched up at the local Wetherspoons and the Support Crew (Ceri, Rich & Mike) planned their viewing stations.

Before we knew it race day had arrived……..Judy thought she was on a jolly and it only dawned on her at 0945hrs that she had to make a 26.2 mile epic journey! She was well fed and watered though as I left both her & Carol munching their way through a bowl of cement at breakfast (or was it porridge!)

The Support Crew were pitched up at the Cutty Sark (6.5 miles) with front row viewing. Rich was instructed by ‘yours truly’ to wave a set of hand clappers (carefully selected from a charity stand at the Excel Centre – that’s another story! They worked a treat….I even had time to give them a smile and a wave! Feeling good!

Onwards and upwards, as they say. I continued grinding out the miles at 6.50 pace and set eyes on the Crew again at Mile 18. They had spotted me running through the Isle of Dogs whilst on the DLR train to their next stop at Mile 22. They hoofed it off the train and proceeded with a speed session from the platform to the road below. Mike appeared in the middle of the road, armed with the camera as Ceri & Rich shouted welcome words of encouragement.

Unfortunately, the weather took a turn for the worse and strong winds and lashing rain assisted me (NOT) as I dug in along the 20 to 23 mile stretch.

That same old Crew were spotted again at Mile 22 (as promised) sporting their ponchos courtesy of the Anthony Nolan Trust. I couldn’t managed a wave this time – sorry you three, in the zone!

The last 3 miles were tough but enjoyable all the same. The crowds were fantastic and I felt strong although I knew a sub 3 hour wasn’t achievable, a good PB was to be had.7 minutes & 17 seconds will do for me AND the first Cornish runner home!

A fantastic weekend. WELL DONE to my club mates – excellent results all round.

A massive THANK YOU to Mike, Ceri & Rich for all their support and encouragement throughout the weekend – without you it wouldn’t have happened.

A few bevies were sunk on Sunday evening……..and why not. Watch this space……..training resumes shortly, a sub 3 hour marathon is in my sights!   JULIET.

CAROL CULLEY says

What an experience! Being flat does not make this an easy race and I'm not sure what happened to the plan.  The crowd support is just amazing- so many people shouting your name, it is a very strange experience-ordinary Joe Bloggs that I am, plodding along in this major sporting event.
 
What can you say about Tower Bridge, this will be in my thoughts for along time to come, the crowds, the noise, amazing, Sandy we did look for you.
 
The runners around you constantly change, you overtake and they do, explains the pacing.
 
Thoughts of seeing my son were in my mind now, seventeenish miles and rather tired, sore legs, so time to spot the landmarks as a distraction, dissapointment at not seeing him where we had planned turned to joy. He had found a better position and the hug hit the spot better than the energy gel.
 
There are some very thought provoking messages on the backs of  runners t-shirts, this reminds you of what a very human race this is, very ordinary people doing something extraordinary, very brave people.
 
Well what can you do, twenty miles,  plan washed away with the rain, but way of what you wanted time wise, feeling sick again, takes your attention of the legs. Come what may I was going to keep with Judy, your a star girl even if you were still asleep at five to six.  Without you I would not have got a p.b. of two mins.
 
A brilliant weekend, the expo, the marathon the post race celebration. Strangers offering you congradulations when they see the medal, it really is an experience, so make sure you enter A.S.A.P, words do not do it justice, have a go............................. Carol