Denbigh Harriers Dinbych

Hywel Roberts writes, “What an absolutely amazing event that really highlights the good things that people do…if only the news would take up more stories like the London Marathon!!

My aim was to go as close to 3:45 as possible was going great up until mile 18 where the wheels came off mentally more than physically I think although my legs where shot!! I had really really enjoyed my time up to this point and to be honest I did not allow this to effect my mood and was absolutely loving it. The best thing for me on the course was seeing people around me spotting their family and friends and being able to witness the joy on their faces and none more than being able to see my family and friends (Mari Wynne Williams, Hawys Roberts, Sion Ed Roberts.) not to mention the cheeky slap I had on my backside from the fresh looking Huw Euron Williams while he overtook me (Diolch Huw, mor neis dy weld di adeg yno) and Gwenan Johnson at the start area. Having realised my target had gone and was walking a lot by now, I was also pleased that I could help 3 runners that were in a slightly worse state than my self, carrying one to St John medics, helping another to his feet after he collapsed after realising it wasn’t a good idea to run backwards and took another to about 300 yards before the end after she had fallen on her face and was glad to see her finish just after me.

I have been overwhelmed by the support given from all the Harriers not only during my marathon preparations but since I became a member just over 2 years ago. So thank you all for being so brilliant.

The Marathon is definitely one of the best things I have done and would really recommend it to others…..but thats me done (I think) with this distance……its just to bloody far!!!

Da iawn bawb!!!”

Hywel Roberts

Sian Pritchard writes, “First marathon for me. During my training I had only got up to 16 miles due to me getting shin splints and a problem with my knee too. At one point I thought I might have to pull out. From then on I stuck to spinning and cross training at the gym to keep up my fitness. 3 weeks to go and my shin felt okay. On the day I started out steady and wanted to enjoy the race as much as I could. At about my 15/16 I felt strong and could see the 5 hour pacer so and decided to push on faster and try and stay in front of him. I started to feel it at about mile 23 but the crowds just spurs you on! It was honestly the best day of my life and everyone should have a go! Thanks for all the support from Denbigh Harriers! finish time 4:50”

Sian Pritchard

Mark Jones writes, “My London Marathon 2019. My first marathon so that’s a marathon PB and a course record for me!

The first 11 miles flew by in a breeze feeling really comfortable and a 4:30 was the aim. The following 4 slowed and miles 16-19 we’re the worst of the lot it was a case if keeping moving forward and managing things to get to the end. I was definitely on The Pain Train with some walking and running and trying to decide which hurt less to do. Coming out of mile 19 really picked me up as approaching 20 felt massive and the end was in reach. But 21 was a slow one with lots of talking to myself. At this point the goal was to make it sub 5 so the last 5 or so took some extra effort and needed some more consistency. Hitting The Mall was emotional and I had some minutes to spare for a 4:56:55

I was always going into it to simply get to the end so I’m not disapointed with how it all unfolded. I learned so much about grit and desire and despite the challenges I enjoyed the experience so much. People always tell you ‘the crowds will take you’….And they did. The wall of noise in so many sections was incredible.

Proud of all the Harriers doing so well.”

Mark Jones

Gwenan Johnson writes, “London Marathon was a first for me. I had done Chester marathon in 2017 and it was enjoyable! London was a very different experience. It was an exciting adventure from the day I knew I had a place with North Wales Cancer Appeal until now even, a day after I have completed the race. 

The marathon bus trip organisation was wonderful. It took all the pressure off me so all I needed to do was the running!!

Similar to Hywel, the first 30km were great and I felt good. Chris had somehow worked out from my parkrun 5 km time that I could do it sub 4:30! So I believed him. I followed the 4:15 pacer for 30 km until I felt that I needed to drop to my normal pace whatever that is. I don’t have a watch, I just go with what I feel is sustainable for the distance that is left. At 30km, my hips started to feel stiff but I knew if I just carried on at a slower pace I would get to the end. It was just like one lap of the mountain at home.

The support was fantastic all the way along – I noted it even more in the last 10km as I needed it by then.  I met my family at mile 7 but missed them somehow at the next 2 point!
I met various people along the way to share my journey with – everyone had a story to tell. The charity start park was so inspiring. One man had run 200miles to get there, 40 miles a day over 5 days!  Going over the finishing line was the icing on the cake. I felt so pleased to have completed it …. for myself, my family, the club and North Wales Cancer Appeal. I hope I will have made a small difference to someone’s life.

If you ever get a chance, I would definitely recommend it. I will probably try for another place one day but not just yet!!

I would like to thank everyone in Denbigh Harriers for their encouragement and support at all times. It is a great club!!”

Gwenan Johnson

“The weather was ok although it was a little windy in places certainly nicer than the heat from a year ago. I started off steadily but had a small niggle in my right leg after 2 Miles. I was slightly worried but luckily it turned out to be nothing much and did not affect me negatively. If anything it made me a little more cautious and so I ran sensibly and eventually managed to run a negative split. The first half was completed in 1:26:14 so I knew I needed to be faster for a PB which stood at 2:51:20. The crowd were amazing once more and really helped all runners along and I had the energy to run the second half in 1:24:23 to break my PB by 43 seconds. The donations have been rolling in since I completed it and my total currently stands at just under £1900 for Anthony Nolan.”

Joe Welch

Huw Williams who was running using the Denbigh Harrier’s entry says that the London Marathon 2019 was awesome!!!

My aim was to run as close to 3:30 as possible and all was going well until mile 22 when I couldn’t sustain the pace any longer. A bit of cramp towards the last mile but thankfully didn’t last long! A marathon pb by over 38 minutes so happy. The crowd were incredible and running over tower bridge will live long in the memory. Big thanks to Mari Wynne Williams, Sion Ed Roberts and Hawys Roberts for support and encouragement along the way. Finally, a huge diolch yn fawr to the harriers for giving me the opportunity to experience this amazing race.

Huw Willaims