Last weekend, three members of Newport & District Running Club took part in the London Marathon, one of the world’s most popular races. Watched by millions of people on TV, as well as thousands in person, lining the streets of London, this year’s race provided a lot of entertainment, as the women’s race saw the remarkable victory of Sifan Hassan, who had earlier seemed out of contention, and the men’s course record was broken by Kelvin Keptum.

Jo Lutner with her medal after the London Marathon!

In a field of over 53,000 runners, Newport’s contenders in this year’s race were Robin Guy, who finished in 3,684 position with a time of 3 hours, 5 minutes, 21 seconds, Richard Bennett, who was 13,593rd in a time of 3:47:24, and Jo Lutner, who ran a time of 4:37:14 to finish in29,219th place. After she had finished, Jo sent us this account of her experience:

“What an amazing adventure from start to finish; it’s taken 3 years from gaining the club place to crossing the finish line and it lived up to all my hopes and dreams. The organisation from tube staff, marshals, cheer squads, bag drop and collection were flawless: you are looked after every step of the way.

I started at the Blackheath Blue start line wave 14 which meant I didn’t start till after 11am. It was a wet start but it didn’t dampen the buzz of everyone there. The route takes you around lots of the big sights of London and it truly takes your breath away running past the Cutty Sark, Tower bridge, Canary Wharf, Victoria Embankment Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace and then down The Mall to finish.

Jo Lutner crosses Tower Bridge during the London Marathon

You have to just keep taking it all in as the sights and sounds as you go around this Iconic course are unbelievable. The noise is deafening. I didn’t stop smiling and I haven’t stopped since I’ve been home. If you ever get the chance to do the London Marathon just go for it; it won’t disappoint!”