THE ENTRANTS
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#1 Roger Biggs has run 294 marathons and 13 ultras, beginning with the
Stevenage marathon back in 1984. Roger’s 3:02 London PB is almost 6
hours better than an 8:48 Everest PW. An international running enthusiast,
Roger’s favorite marathon is Comrades and he admires Kipketer and would be
happy to retire in the US where he could spend lottery winnings on international
airline tickets to feed his run habit. #2 Jack Brooks began his 113 marathon career just 11 years ago in London. The St. Alban’s Strider PB’d at Chicago in 3:12 and PW’d at Melbourne in 5:06. He admires Steve ‘Pre’ Prefontaine and would buy a painting with his lottery winnings. Jack actually changed his name from A. Jack to ‘Jack’ 38 yrs ago. #3 David Moles of the 100 Marathon club has completed 130 marathons and 4 ultramarathons. Dave began running marathons 22 years ago at London and lists Snowdonia as his favorite marathon. His PB and PW are just a little over two hours apart: 3:38 at London and 5:45 at Snowdonia, and he would like the nickname ‘Plodder Moles’. Dave’s most admired runner is another Dave: David Bedford. Moles enjoys watching the Olympic 1500M, but not the tennis. If he won the lottery, he would have a hard time choosing among buying a brewery, a distillery or a vineyard. #4 Tad Lancucki, originally of Enfield, London, is a veteran of 217 marathons all over the world. Naturally, Tad is an avid 100 Marathon club runner with a PB of 3:15 at Rotterdam in 1989 and a PW of 6:29 at the infamous Greenwich Foot tunnel race. Tad ran his first marathon, London, 21 years ago at age 33. His favorite marathon is the Untertage which is 700 metres underground in the Brugman Schacht Salt mine in Germany. Tad bets 10:1 against the London marathon bid. True to his roots, Tad would be happy to retire in London. #5 Peter Reed and his wife #6 Moira Reed come from Fetcham, Surrey, and both run for the Veterans AC. Ladies first: Moira was the first Reed to complete 100 marathons, but Peter is not far behind with 93. Peter PB’d at Blackpool in 3:21, and Moira at Potteries in 4:13. They both ran PWs at Shakespeare: he in 6 hours, and Moira a ½ hour later. They both love the London Marathon most of all, and have run a marathon on a college campus (Goodenough) where Moira took 2nd lady. Moira is originally from Epsom and Peter from Worcester. They both admire Paula Radcliffe and would be happy to retire to Australia. If they shared a lucky ticket, Peter would buy a castle & Moira a tropical island. Peter watches badminton, and avoids synchronized swimming. Moira is a marathon fan, but doesn’t enjoy Rhythmic gymnastics. Neither believes the 2012 bid will play out for London. #7 Pam Storey and #8 Gil John have completed 223 and 57 marathons and 31 and 21 ultras respectively. Pam was born in Croydon and has stayed local, running for Serpentine. She PB’d at Abingdon in 3:56. Her favorite marathon is the multi-lap Sri Chinmoy in Battersea Park which was sadly discontinued last fall. Pam would be happy to retire to the seaside and would happily rename herself ‘Pamela John.’ She loves to watch Olympic marathons, but not tennis. Pam was born just 16 days before Roger Biggs. An optimist, Pam bets 5:1 for the London bid. Gil is the quintessential Welsh ‘goat’ runner- born in Bridgend, Wales, running his first marathon in Newport, and a Les Croupiers member. Gil PB’d with 3:03 at Poole and ran his slowest of 7:12 at Salisbury. He loves the Beachy Head marathon which he has completed 16 times. If he won the lottery, Gil would be happy with worldwide and lifelong supplies of running needs, travel and accommodation, and would also splurge on a tunnel for #4 Tad. Pam admires Yiannis Kouros of Greece/Australia, while Gil is keen on Ethiopia’s Haile. Both have run on college campuses, including Goodenough (which Pam won) and the Fire Service College 100K in Moreton-on-Marsh. Pam and Gil would happily retire to the coastal seaside. #9 Allan Green is a veteran of 236 marathons and a member of the 100 marathon club. He ran his PB of 3:20 at London, and 6:30 PW at Jungfrau. Born in Cheltenham, Allan ran his first marathon at Gloucester at age 39. He enjoys watching the Marathon in the Olympics, but is not a big fan of Badminton. Allan likes the name ‘Ken Dod’ and if he won the lottery, he’d buy himself a can of coke. #10 Philip Whitmore is a veteran of 178 marathons at the age of 41—having just celebrated his birthday last week. He runs for the 100 Marathon club and has a super PB of 3:02:10. Philip ran his first marathon at age 19 in his hometown of Gloucester. His favorite marathon is Athens, which he ran last year. He loves the Olympic marathon, not Taekwondo. If he won the lottery, he would buy a big house. #11 Brian Mills lives in his birthplace of Herefordshire. A veteran of a whopping 473 marathons in just 15 years, Brian runs for the 100 Marathon Club. His favorite marathon is New York which he last ran in 2000. If he won the lottery, he would buy Hereford United. Brian watches the Olympic marathon, and tunes out swimming. #12 Ivan Field is a 41 year old Fairland Valley Spartans runner who has completed 203 marathons, with a sub3 PB of 2:50:19 at Munich. Ivan is still a sub6 guy, with his slowest marathon at Jungfrau in 5:15:20. Ivan was born in Farnborough but would like to retire to Scotland. If he won the lottery, he would buy a round-the-world ticket and probably see a few of idol Paula Radcliffe’s races. When it comes to the Olympics, Ivan is a 100 meter fan, and doesn’t like to watch sailing. #13 Robert and #14 Pauline Hardy of the Fairlands Valley Spartans will be running their 232nd and 27th marathon respectively. Robert has also completed 13 ultras, though his favorite marathon is Beachy Head which he last ran in 2003. The Hardys would happily retire to Spain. #15 Big Dave Carter has run the most marathons of all the competitors: 538, and in just 15 years! Big Dave is a Fairland Valley Spartan who lists 100 Marathon Club organizer, Roger Biggs, as his most admired runner. Big Dave has a 3:36:36 London PB and a 6:30 PW at Vienna. Always thinking ‘big,’ Dave estimates our runners have completed 5,000 marathons, and gives the London bid a 50/50 nod. #16 Dave and #17 Linda Major have run over 139 marathons combined, with PBs of 3:23 (Harrow) and 4:33 (New York) respectively. They both admire Haile and would be happy to retire in Spain, especially Lanzarote. It should come as no surprise that their favorite marathons are also Spanish: Calvia & Madrid. If they won the lottery, Dave would buy a brewery and Linda an around the world ticket to run marathons. #18 John Dawson was born in Manchester in 1937. John runs for Lichfield and has completed 126 marathons to date, with PB and PWs 4 hours apart: PB 3:54 at Manchester and PW 7:54 at High Peak. He ran his first marathon 12 years ago in New York, but most recently completed his favorite, the Potteries, earlier this summer. John is a Paula fan and will be happy retiring in England. #19 Howard Bailey, born in Omskirk, has completed 63 marathons and 19 ultras and runs for Crewkerne. He PB’d 3:04 in Atlanta and ran a 6:32 at the Hertford Hobble. A fan of off-road marathons, Howard’s favorite is Clarendon. Howard enjoys watching volleyball at the Olympics, but is not a big fan of Rhythmic gymnastics. If he had a lucky lotto ticket, he’d buy a house in Charente. #20 Tim Rainey of the Sale Harriers in Manchester has completed 53 marathons and 28 ultras, including a PB of 3:09:37 at Robin Hood in 1997. His slowest 6:36:40 was at Potteries last year. Tim was born in Alveley, Shropshire, but would be happy to retire to Orkney & would like to buy a Scottish island if he won the lottery. His favorite Olympic event is beach volleyball- definitely not synchronized swimming. #21 Gary Wade of Sullihull is an active RRC member and has completed 44 marathons. He PB’d 3:11 at London, and PW’d there as well, in 4:16. Gary ran his first marathon at Bolton at age 27 and ran his favorite marathon, New York, two years ago, where he would also be happy to retire. Gary was born in Bradford and admires anyone who runs. Gary would rename himself ‘Spanky Van Dyke’ and would buy an apartment overlooking Central Park if he won the lottery. Gary would bet 25:1 against London’s 2012 bid. Gary shares his August 18 birthday with #40 Ray Hoyle. #22 Sue and #23 Paul Adams of York are both members of the 100 Marathon Club and the Knavesmire Harriers. Paul, originally of Scarborough, has completed 163 marathons and 23 ultras, and Northallerton-native Sue 115 marathons and 7 ultras. Paul lists #15 Big Dave Carter as the runner he most admires, while Sue lists her husband Paul as the runner whom she most admires. Both list Langdale as their most favorite marathon and would be happy to return in Switzerland. #24 Elaine Oddie was born in Manchester but would be happy to retire in her current home of Westcliff, Essex. Elaine has run 49 marathons, and finished 3rd at Goodenough last April, though her favorite is Snowdon which she last ran in 2001. Elaine admires Paula Radcliffe and now especially Kelli Holmes. She tunes into Olympic marathon and out of boxing. If she won the lottery, she would buy the run-down property near her flat. Elaine was granted an OBE! #25 David Lewis of Blackheath Harriers is the 2004 winner of the Goodenough College marathon, and a veteran of 159 other marathons and some 23 ultras. David PB’d at 3:23 and claims a 7:01 PW. He was born in Welwyn Garden City, but would be happy to retire by the seaside in Littlehampton on the South Coast. David is a 10,000 meter Olympic enthusiast who won’t be jumping to see diving. #26 David Ryder of Worcestershire is a soon to be very officially 100 Marathon Club member with 99 marathons under his belt. He has run a PB (3:08) and a PW (5:20) at London. London is his favorite marathon, and he first ran it at age 22. David was born in Leiston, Suffolk, and is a big fan of Ron Hill. He would be happy to retire anywhere, as soon as possible. #28 Tony Pickup is one of the youngest and least experienced competitors, at 39 years of age and with just 27 marathons under his belt. Tony PB’d at Paris in 3:32 and ran slowest during the Punchbowl in 6:45. His favorite marathon is Snowdon, where he would someday like to retire with his lovely wife. When not running with the Leighton Fun Runners, Tony can be found running after his little ones Fiona and Jamie. #30 Anthony Powell of Neath, lives in South Wales runs for the Brackla Harriers. He is one of the less experienced marathons, with just 9 marathons and 1 ultra under his belt. Wonderfully Welsh, he PB’d at Lake Vyrnwy with 3:35, and PWd at Cardiff in 5:31. His favorite marathon is also Potteries and he would like to retire to New Zealand. He would be happy to be named ‘Nick.’ #31 Chris Seeney is born and bred in Stratford-on-Avon where he runs for the local athletics club. He has run 82 marathons and 7 ultras since he started running 14 years ago in London. Chris admires Murray Halberg of New Zealand and would choose to rename himself ‘Roger Biggs’. His lottery winnings would go to ‘a good woman’ and he doesn’t like subjective events such as ice skating & synchronized swimming. #32 Michaela Norton-Lay, a lady Fairland Valley Spartan, ran her first marathon this year—at the Fairland Valley challenge near her home. She was born in Welwyn Garden City, Herts, and admires Kelli Holmes. Michaela loves to watch rowing, but is not a big fan of pole vaulting. #33 Carol Paul was born in Hitchin but has ‘emigrated’ to the local running capital of Stevenage where she is a lady Fairland Valley Spartan. Carol is just 5 marathons shy of the 100 club, having started just 12 years ago and at her favorite marathon, Snowdon. She would be happy to retire to the South Downs where her lottery winnings would be put toward a new house. #34 Mike Newbitt holds a 2:51 PB from Huntingdon and a 4:23 PW at Stevenage, with 453 marathons in between. Naturally, this Stevenage resident runs for the Fairlands Valley Spartans. Like many of his fellow competitor, Mike loves watching the Olympic marathon but isn’t keen on gymnastics. #35 Rajat Chauhan was born in Delhi, India, and will turn 29 a month after the marathon. Married to Nidhi, Rajat is the proud father of 3-year-old Harshit who will someday be a great runner himself. Rajat’s marathon PB and PW are one hour and ten years apart: 2:38 run ten years ago in Delhi, and 3:38. His running idol is his good friend Per Larsen, also of Goodenough College. #36 Andrea Becker of Canada is a new kid at marathoning, with just a few under her belt. Andrea is a student of Middle East culture and language and has recently spent time volunteering in refugee camps in Palestine. She is a Goodenough College member and volunteered during the April 04 marathon on campus. #37 Lisa Tomas of Canada is a veteran of over a dozen marathons. She took first at Three Forts marathon in 2003 while studying in London on a prestigious law scholarship from her home country, Canada. Lisa has decided to go ‘British’ and has accepted a position with a London law firm which will keep racing around the UK. Lisa is an alumni member of the Goodenough College running club. #38 Fiery-haired running princess Selina Da Silva has completed 95 marathons and 25 ultras and is an active member of the Women’s Running Network. She ran her first marathon ten years ago at London (at age 38- how appropriate for her race number) and PB’d at Abingdon with 4:48. Selina was born in Dorchester but would like to retire to Devon. She enjoys watching Paula and wouldn’t mind the name "Shades." If she won the lottery, she would buy "a travel agency so I could travel anywhere in the world and run marathons and ultras and have somebody to do the travel arrangements for me." Selina enjoys the Olympic Marathon and is not a big fan of Table Tennis. An optimist, she give 5:1 odds for the bid. #39 David Phillips of Warwickshire and the Massey Ferguson club is 60 during the Cranfield Marathon, his 296th marathon, on top of another 20 ultras. David’s PB is 3:21 at Gloucester, and has run a PW of 7:30 at Shakespeare. A fan of challenging races, David’s favorite is Snowdon, which he last run in 2003. David was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and lists Michael Johnson as his running idol. He would love to retire to Pembs in SW Wales, and he would buy a wildlife or bird sanctuary if he won the lottery. David loves the 4by400, but is not a fan of beach volleyball. He does not believe that the London 2012 bid will be successful. David shares his January 31 birthday with #43 Merv. #40 Raymond Hoyle of the Watford Harriers has competed 195 marathons and 21 ultras, including his favorite Yakima in 2004. Ray was born in Lewisham, but would be happier to retire in Cyprus. Ray admires Seb Coe and loves to watch the marathon, but not volleyball. Ray has a 3:40 Nottingham PB. #41 Sharon Crowley is a lady Fairland Valley Spartan and recent inductee to the 100 marathon club with her 102 marathons and 2 ultras. Sharon started running marathons locally—with the ‘once every 10 years’ Stevenage marathon in 1984. She admires ‘Paula Radcliffe, of course!’ and would be happy to retire in Derbyshire or the Lake District. Sharon loves to watch the running events in the Olympics, but will turn out in Synchronised Swimming due, in part to the emphasis on ‘Smile, please!’ during the routines. #42 Sid ‘Smiler’ Morrison ran his first marathon 18 years ago, and has a 3:04 PB at Harrow and a PW of only 4:08 at Thanet earlier this month. 100K Association runner Sid was born in Newcastle, but now lives in sunny Herne Bay where he would be happy to retire. Sid admires Don Ritchie MBE, and would be pleased to be officially renamed ‘Smiler,’ a nickname given by other runners due to his sunny disposition during all stages of a run. #43 Merv and #47 Fiona Nutburn run for Plumstead. Merv has completed 272 marathons and 85 ultras; Fiona 107 marathons and 33 ultras. Merv PB’d 2:56 at Sudbury and PW’d 4:35 at Barbados. Fiona PB’d at Taunton in 3:53 and PW’d in 5:228 at Halstead. Their joint favorite marathon is Rottingdean which they ran this past July. Merv admires Alf Tupper and would rename himself after him. He enjoys the Olympic modern pentathlon, but not the tennis. Fiona watches Olympic athletics, but not boxing. #44 Martin Ilott of Windsor runs for Defra AC, completing 126 marathons and 7 ultras. He PB’d with 2:59:40 at Luton and PW’d 5:50 at London. Martin began marathoning 15 years ago with Paris, in the country in which he would be happy to retire. Martin admires his runner-father Donald Ilott and prefers Olympic marathons to shooting. Martin shares his May 14 birthday (but not the year) with #14 Pauline. #45 Joe Avery of the 100 Marathon Club and Herts Phoenix AC has completed 157 marathons and over 21 ultras. The Welwyn Garden City resident PB’d with 2:54 at Abingdon (site of his first marathon) and PW’d over 6 hours at Norfolk. Joe admires Jessie Owens, & would happily become name ‘Sir’ & retire to Buckingham Palace. #46 Colin Poole ran his first of 144 marathons and 10 ultras in London 17 years ago. Colin is a Blackheath Harrier with a penchant for fun, scenic marathons such as Beachy Head. He was born in Islington, but would like to retire to Croydon and spend lottery winnings on his 5 children and 9 grand children. Colin is the oldest competitor at 67, just one month and ten days older than John Dawson. #48 Andrew Wilmot of Halstead, Essex, runs for the Halstead Road Runners and has completed over 327 marathons and 20 ultras. His PB and PW are the closest of all the competitors: 3:08 and 3:51. Andrew started running just 17 years ago at London, but now lists Stoke has his favorite marathon and Gordon Ellis as his most admired runner. Andrew enjoys watching the Olympic javelin, but not the relays. If he won the lottery, he would generously splurge on two strikers for Sunderland. #49 John Williams is a Maidstone man: running his first marathon in his birthplace and hometown some 21 years ago. John PB’d 3:15 at the South Coast marathon and has run 7:26 at Shillington, in addition to 221 other marathons. Naturally, John runs for the 100 Marathon club. He lists Roger Black as the marathon he most admires, and would happily buy a new house for each of his children if he won the lottery. His favorite Olympic event is horse riding, but he doesn’t like the horse riding. #50 Janet Cobby of the New Eltham Joggers #51 Martin Wisdom #0 Rory Coleman is a veteran of hundreds of marathons, most recently
running all the way from London to the Euro 2004 in Portugal. Rory
organizes the ‘Marathon of Britain,’ a 6-day challenge across Britain. |