London Marathon 2023, 3,000m and 5,000m Time Trials and Cowm 5K

ON SUNDAY 23rd April five Rochdale Harriers ventured down to the Capital to take part in the World’s most famous marathon.

Danny Bennett, Richard Stirzaker, Jonathan Lupton, Ian Stainthorpe and Julie Smith represented the club and joined some 48,000 fellow athletes to weave around 26.2 miles of central London past the historic landmarks and monuments.

Months, and even years, worth of training were hard earned through a long winter but no doubt every mile was worth it to run in front of an enthusiastic crowd who, as always, turned out in huge numbers despite the less than perfectly clear weather conditions.

Danny completed the course in 2:51:48, followed shortly after by Richard in 2:57:12. Jonathan was next in 3:26:58, with Ian 4:30:58 and Julie 5:43:12. So far this month 10 Rochdale Harriers have completed marathons.

On Tuesday 18th April the club hosted its first Track 3,000m and 5,000m Time Trial event of the year, which was also used as part of the Club’s Road Racing Championship series, at Kingsway track.

The event, organised by RHAC coach Jeff McCarthy, is split into three sections – 3,000m, Sub-20 minute 5,000m and 20 minute + 5,000m, with precision timing mats and clocks supplied by the What’sMyTime team and plenty of spectators on hand to cheer the athletes on.

Despite slightly blustery conditions there were still plenty of fast times recorded. Marcus Law of Rossendale Harriers was first over the finish line in 16:40, followed by Rochdale’s Richard Stirzaker in 17:15 and Charlie Harding in 17:48. In the Ladies side of the race it was a Rochdale 1-2-3 with Kay Welsby first to stop the clock at 19:38, followed by Juliet Smith in 19:54 and Isabel Brandon in 20:39. Full results.

Entries for the other two Track Time Trials of 2023 are already available to book online via SIEntries.co.uk and will take place 20/06/23 (enter here) and 26/09/23 (enter here).

 On Tuesday evening 25th April, 11 Harriers stayed local to race in the Whit’th Whippets Cowm 5k, a two lap blast around Cowm Reservoir.

First Rochdale vest back was Kevin Holland in ninth place and a time of 19:52, followed by Isabel Brandon in 20:46 which also earnt her third female. Decland Harrison recorded a time of 21:14, Sean Lindsay 21:53, Ian Aitchison 22:31, Mark Walker 22:57, Michael Jackson 23:43, Danielle Dignan 24:26, Anna Blomfield 24:27, Daniel Merlo 24:45, Ray Dalby 27:17.