FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thousands of Runners Take Part in Twenty First Edinburgh Marathon Festival
THOUSANDS of runners from all over the world gathered in the nation's
capital to take part in the twenty first edition of the Edinburgh Marathon
Festival. Across the action-packed weekend, Scotland's biggest running
festival featured nine races including a full marathon, half marathon, team
relay, 10k and 5k, plus four junior events.
Sunday's weather made for perfect running conditions on one of the world's
fastest marathon courses, where both Scottish and international runners
battled it out for the top prize.
Runners were set off by inspirational Official Starter Archie Hamilton.
Archie, a pupil at The Knox Academy and a talented rugby player is
currently undergoing months of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in Manchester.
In recognition of Archie's role as the Official Starter for the Edinburgh
Marathon, a JustGiving Page has been set up for him with the objective to
raise £26,200 by the end of May, providing vital support to the family
during this difficult time.
Alex Gladley (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow AC) raced to glory in this
year's marathon with a winning time of 2 hours 21 minutes and 34 seconds.
After the race, Alex said "It was incredible out there, pretty perfect
conditions, beautiful scenery and a good honest effort from myself and the
others, it was a good competition.
I was going for 2.20 but when I hit half way I was feeling a bit of nausea
so I thought it might not be my day. I managed to stick with Ollie for
quite a while, then I got through a rocky patch and started to feel really
good.
I decided to make a move with about 8 miles to go, which was a bit early to
be honest, at that point I put my head down and went until the end.
This is the first time I've run the Edinburgh Marathon but I'd love to come
back and retain the crown next year, it was beautiful!"
Tom Charles (Chorlton Runners) claimed second place in 2 hours 22 minutes
and 58 seconds, followed by Ollie Garrod (Belgrave Harriers) in 2 hours 24
minutes and 1 second.
The women's marathon race was dominated by Jemima Farley who led from the
front with a time of 2 hours 39 minutes and 39 seconds.
"It was really tough. I ran the Edinburgh Marathon a long time ago back in
2009, it was the second marathon I ever ran. So it was great to finally run
it again today."
Johanna Oregan (St Neots Riverside Runners) in 2 hours 42 minutes and 55
seconds and Rosa Donaldson (Glasgow University Hares & Hounds) in 2 hours
44 minutes and 39 seconds, completed the podium.
Durham's Kieran Walker (North East Project) stormed to victory in Sunday
morning's half marathon with a winning time of 1 hour 5 minutes and 24
seconds, second place was John Bell (Inverclyde AC) with a time of 1 hour 6
minutes and 45 seconds, with Charlie Sandison of Fife AC completing the
podium in third with a time of 1 hour 7 minutes and 20 seconds.
Afterwards, winner Kieran said "I loved it. I raced here last year and won,
so I thought I'd give it another go. I ran London Marathon 5 weeks ago and
I haven't done much training since, so I just thought I'd go out hard from
the start and see what happens. These guys pushed me for the first 3 miles,
but after 3 miles it was a solo run really. I'll definitely be back again
next year!"
Emma Houchell of Basildon AC was the winner in the women's race with a new
course record time of 1 hour 14 minutes and 50 seconds.
After the race, Emma said "It was really fun, I've never been at the front
of a race before, and there was loads of support especially down the finish
straight, it was so loud, which was fun!"
"I started off in about 4th or 5th and I was just trying to slowly reel
people back in, it's quite easy to go off too hard at the beginning as it's
downhill, so I was just trying to hold back at the start.
I did the Edinburgh half in 2018 and that was the last time I ran a half
marathon. Me and my coach had a plan to basically take a risk, go out at a
pace I wanted and see how long I could hold on for, so the last mile was
very painful!"
She was followed by Naomi Lang (Carnethy Hill RC) in 1 hour 16 minutes and
15 seconds with Della Hatfield (City of Hull AC) finishing in third place
with a time of 1 hour 16 minutes and 35 seconds.
Susie's Squad ran the Edinburgh Marathon Festival for Breast Cancer Now, in
memory of Susie Kuszpit, who they sadly lost last year.
Susie's squad consists of 28 members running either the Edinburgh Marathon
or Half Marathon to honour Susie, who sadly lost her battle with Cancer in
June 2022. In November 2018, Susie was diagnosed with triple-negative
breast cancer, aged only 31, eight months after giving birth to her
beautiful son, Rory. Whilst Susie's initial prognosis was good, her cancer
returned soon after she had her initial surgery, spreading to other parts
of her body, making treatment options more limited and her cancer
incurable. Susie had many lines of treatment but her condition deteriorated
rapidly in June 2022 and she very sadly passed away.
Susie's sister Diane told us, "Susie really was the best of the best,
everyone adored her and she made friends wherever she went. She had the
most positive outlook on life, even in the worst of situations, she truly
is an inspiration and we all miss her so much."
In memory and support of Susie, Susie's squad have chosen to raise vital
funds for Breast Cancer Now, a research and support charity whose mission
means a lot to all of them.
Susie's squad prepared well for the challenge as Diane told us, "The
Edinburgh Marathon falls the day before what would have been Susie's 36th
birthday so it just felt right that I run this in her memory and so many of
our friends and family have agreed to join too.
Diane told us, "The main reason is to run together for a great cause,
raising awareness and much-needed funds for a great and very worthy cause
and to honour the memory of Susie."
Edinburgh's Holyrood Park played host to Saturday's action with the 10k, 5k
and junior races kicking off the festival's lineup.
Lewis Macalpine of Stornoway Running & Athletics Club was first home in the
EMF 10K race with a winning time of 32 minutes and 46 seconds.
Female winner of the EMF 10K was Sophie Marr from Tyne Bridge Harriers in a
time of 40 minutes and 38 seconds.
Lachlan Thomas was the male winner of the EMF 5K with a winning time of 16
minutes and 30 seconds.
Merce Sanchez Oller from Edinburgh Athletics Club stole the show in the
women's 5K field with a winning time of 18 minutes and 45 seconds.
Over 1000 youngsters took part in Saturday's junior races, consisting of
the 1.5k for 6-8 year olds and the 2k for 9-12 year olds, as well as both
the Junior 5K and the Kids' Kilometre.
Neil Kilgour, Edinburgh Marathon Festival Director, said: "It was
incredible to see tens of thousands of participants back in Edinburgh,
raising millions for good causes.
"We are so proud to host a truly world class running event in Scotland's
capital for runners of all ages from across the globe. Congratulations to
everyone who took part. Come and see us again next year!"
Entries for the 2024 Edinburgh Marathon Festival which takes place on Bank
Holiday Weekend, Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May, are open with an early
bird discount for everyone who registers before midnight on Sunday 11th
June at www.edinburghmarathon.com
Join the running chat:
Follow EMF on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghMarathonFestival
Follow EMF on Twitter: @MrHairyHaggis; #edinburghmarathon; #emf2023
Follow EMF on Instagram: http://instagram.com/edinburghmarathonfestival
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