Record-breaking Parslow takes top spot at the Milton Keynes Marathon

Dacorum & Tring AC runner Jack Parslow stormed to victory at the Milton Keynes Marathon in a course record-breaking time of 2:37:26 – more than five minutes ahead of the second-place finisher.
Dacorum & Tring AC's Jack Parslow finished first at the Milton Keynes Marathon. Picture (c) Gary MitchellDacorum & Tring AC's Jack Parslow finished first at the Milton Keynes Marathon. Picture (c) Gary Mitchell
Dacorum & Tring AC's Jack Parslow finished first at the Milton Keynes Marathon. Picture (c) Gary Mitchell

Next over the line for D&T was Duncan Hamilton who finished 57th in a time of 3:03:51.

In the half marathon, Jamie Marlow – running as pacer for those wanting to finish in 1:30:00 – crossed the line spot on in 1.30.05 .

Catherine Davies finished next in 1:39:18, fast enough for 18th lady overall and third in the VF50 age group – thanks to stellar pacing by Chris Marriott who finished just under the 1:40 mark in 1.39.55.

Dacorum & Tring AC at Gadebridge parkrunDacorum & Tring AC at Gadebridge parkrun
Dacorum & Tring AC at Gadebridge parkrun

Martin Kerr smashed his PB with a new best of 1:45:17, with outstanding pacing by Samantha Fawcett who finished on target with time of 1:45:35.

Clare Hunt was next, in 1:48:27, while Rachel Lewis posted a new PB of 1:48:37. Esther Hamilton also got a new PB of 1:52:41, while Manon Pagniez clocked a 1.53.40 PB, and Kirsty Russell cruised home in 2:13:23.

In other news, Chris Kitchener, Jules Robinson, Richard East, Erica Klein and Louise Tainsh ran the Watford 10k Charity Run. Chris finished 30th overall and fourth in the VM45 age group with a time of 42:43, while Jules took five minutes off her PB to finish in 50:37, fast enough for fourth VF40. Richard finished in 48:05, Erica in 56:01 and Louise in 59:37.

At the same event, 10-year-old Olivia Edwards won the junior race of 1k in a very competitive girls’ field.

Dacorum & Tring AC at Milton Keynes MarathonDacorum & Tring AC at Milton Keynes Marathon
Dacorum & Tring AC at Milton Keynes Marathon

The day before, five D&T runners tackled the Gaddesden Gallop where John Garner crossed the line first for the club in around 50 minutes. Michelle Trueman was next in 51 minutes, while Alison Richardson took 12 minutes off her time from last year to finish in 54 minutes, followed by Kodie Mitchell and Carol MacDonald.

Meanwhile, the D&T multisport section saw Matty Earles finish fourth overall in the RAF Halton Mini Olympic distance sprint triathlon in 1:37:21.

Rob Wright finished his very first triathlon, the Leicester Tri, in a time of 1:55:45, while Andrew Trevillion completed the aptly-named Tough Mudder obstacle challenge in Henley.

On Saturday, Dacorum & Tring had 26 members out at the inaugural Gadebridge parkrun, which featured club members Jamie Marlow and Kirsty Russell as its first run directors.

Dacorum & Tring AC's Duncan Hamilton crosses the finishing line at the Milton Keynes Marathon. Picture (c) Gary MitchellDacorum & Tring AC's Duncan Hamilton crosses the finishing line at the Milton Keynes Marathon. Picture (c) Gary Mitchell
Dacorum & Tring AC's Duncan Hamilton crosses the finishing line at the Milton Keynes Marathon. Picture (c) Gary Mitchell

Joshua van Heiningen, 15, was first to cross the line in 18:53, with Matt Hamilton in seventh, Richard Slack eighth and Duncan Hamilton 10th. For the ladies, Samantha Sullivan was fourth lady overall, while Karen Wishart was fifth.