LOUISE Blizzard ran the London Marathon for the 29th time on Sunday – and her performance ensured she will have a crack at number 30 next year.
The Warrington Athletics Club member was one of around 50,000 people who tackled the course around the capital in one of British sport’s most iconic events.
She finished the race in a time of 3hours 10mins 11secs, which is around a minute faster than her time in last year’s race and qualifies her for the championship start at next year’s race.
“It was so tough at times and had to really dig deep but tried to keep focused and lots of positive thoughts,” she said.
“It was an absolutely wonderful experience and I’m so grateful to have been part of it yesterday – I never take it for granted and feel so lucky!”
Warrington Athletics Club were also represented at the London Mini Marathon on Saturday as part of both the north west teams for the British Road Race Championships and the one-mile event for the youngest athletes.
Jack Marwood was 32nd in the under 17s men’s race as he completed the 2.6km course in 7mins 51secs while in the same age group, Imogen Wharton was 47th in 9mins 23secs.
Oliver Davenport was 38th in the under 13s boys race as he clocked 9mins 6secs.
The one-mile race saw a team of six from Christ Church Primary School compete, with Emilia Gandy finishing third in her wave of runners in a time of 6mins 24secs.
She was joined by Lucas Arrowsmith (6mins 50secs), Aiden Losty (8mins 18secs), Ben Andrews (10mins 12secs), Ruby Cook (13mins 44secs) and Frankie Butcher (time TBC).
Closer to home, Victoria Park played host to the first round of the Youth Development League, with Warrington AC members recording wins and personal bests against neighbouring clubs.
These were the recorded Warrington victories…
Under 13s girls: Leah Poole (A 75m, 10.5secs PB), Jessica Downes (non-scoring 75m, 11.1secs)
Under 13s boys: Harry Millar (150m, 20.7secs PB), Louis Green (high jump, 1.35m)
Under 15s girls: Olivia Crawford (A 75m hurdles, 11.5secs), Tallie Sze (A long jump, 4.83m), Jaycee Morrison (non-scoring 800m, 2mins 46.1secs PB)
Under 15s boys: Thomas Darbyshire (A 200m, 25.6secs PB and high jump, 1.50m PB), Alfie Blizzard (A 800m, 2mins 14.3secs PB), Euan Lawton (B 800m, 2mins 26.5secs)
The following athletes also recorded personal bests at the event in which Warrington AC finished fourth out of six competing clubs in the league table...
Under 13s girls: Lula Ashworth (B 75m, 11.4secs), Sophie Sharples (non-scoring 75m, 12.1secs), Leah Poole (A 150m, 21.2secs), Nora Szekely (B 150m, 24.7secs), Grace Rashud (A 800m, 2mins 44.7secs).
Under 13s boys: Louis Green (A 75m, 11.2secs), Eddie Walker (A 800m, 2mins 43.4secs)
Under 15s girls: Olivia Crawford (B 100m, 13.3secs and shot putt, 8.58m), Hattie Cheung (non-scoring 100m, 14.2secs), Isla Jones (B 200m, 33.0secs), Ellie-Grace Stuart (A 800m, 2mins 32.8secs), Hilary Lam (B long jump, 4.28m)
Under 15s boys: Thomas Darbyshire (A javelin, 28.96m)
Elsewhere on Saturday, under 11s athlete Leonard Broadhurst represented Warrington Athletics Club at the Blackpool Festival of Running and had an excellent afternoon, finishing second in the 2km race.
On Sunday, Warrington’s Evie-May Williams took to the Lake District for the Duddon Dash junior fell race – the first race in the English Junior Fell Running Championships.
Her time of 36mins 39secs placed her 15th in the under 15s age group while she was the 43rd runner to finish overall.
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