*Ben and Sarah Hudson are pictured (above) after their double marathon.
Liverbird Double Marathon challenge for Ben and Sarah over New Year... plus other festive race results.
Report by Don Hale.
North Wales Road Runners Ben and Sarah Hudson celebrated the New Year in their own unique style by competing in the Liverbird Double Marathon on Merseyside.
Both events, well organised by GB Ultras, included the full marathon distance run on consecutive days, with the first race held on New Year’s Eve, quickly followed by the second race on New Year’s Day.The ultra-enthusiastic pair braved gales, and heavy rain, during their first encounter which followed an out and back lapped course from the Merseyside Police Club at Aigburth, Liverpool, and followed a relatively flat course adjacent to the windswept River Mersey. Despite the conditions and this gruelling challenge, they were both pleased with their day one results, with Ben finishing 19th overall, and he was 3rd in his M45-49 age category in 3 hours 49 minutes and 42 seconds, with Sarah running home as the 4th female finisher in a very respectable time of 4.04.25, and she also won her F45-49 age cat!
After the first marathon Sarah confirmed: “The marathon went up and down the prom from Otterspool, but it went from fun, to being absolutely horrific every three miles. I was actually the 4th lady in the double marathon. I was not overly pleased with the time, but I was trying to be a little bit sensible with tomorrow in mind.
“We came across the other night, and we go back on Tuesday, so we can celebrate New Year tomorrow night instead… although I’m not sure I will be able to walk let alone celebrate. One down, and one to go! It was great fun if a wee bit breezy. Bring on day 2."
Sarah also admitted to some fatigue shortly before and after this first marathon, which was not too surprising considering the fact that both Sarah and Ben have recently returned from Spain where they took part in the Malaga Marathon, and just before that, they also ran in the extremely tough Eryri Marathon.
On Day 2, Ben and Sarah maintained their excellent form and recorded similar results to New Year’s Eve, with Ben finishing 17th overall in 4 hours 10 minutes and 54 seconds and he was 4th this time in his F45-49 age cat, whilst Sarah repeated her top performance to retain 1st place in her F45-49 age cat, and she was the 4th female finisher once again, recording a good time of 4.15.15.
Following the conclusion of the two marathons, Sarah added: “4th lady again for me, and 1st in my age category. Well chuffed with that! It was still cold and windy but not as bad as yesterday, and it stayed dry so I can’t complain!”
Kevin Higgins (above), took part in two Liverbird double 5k races.
Other results:
*Wirral: Kevin Higgins also ran in two unique Liverbird Double 5k trail races, the first on New Year’s Eve, where he finished well in 28.48, and on New Year’s Day he completed the same distance in the second race in 27.47 and he won his M60 age cat.
Jamie Tharme (*pictured above)
*Newborough Forest: Four members of NWRRC ran on New Year’s Day at the Newborough Forest parkrun, with all recording good times. Will Williams claimed a new course PB of 18.56 in 10th place overall, with Steve Mason 30th in 20.58, whilst Harry Driscoll was 36th in 21.24, and he was 3rd in his SM20 cat, and Jamie Tharme finished 62nd on his course debut in 23.46.
*Ruthin: Steve Mason ran on Christmas Day at the Ruthin Memorial playing fields parkrun with his dog Coco. Steve was 65th overall in 25.25, and he was 3rd in his VM45 age cat, with Coco the lead runner and the first canine finisher!