Another glorious day for Milton Keynes with thousands of runners, spectators and 500 event crew coming together for the 4th MK Marathon event.
Nearly 5,000 runners signed up to take part in the 2015 event, which took place on Bank Holiday Monday 4th May. Thousands of spectators, supporters and charities lined the streets and Redways of Milton Keynes as the runners made their way around the picturesque 26.2 mile route that started and finished at stadiummk. Over 500 volunteers worked very hard to make the event run like clockwork.
The honour of winning the everyday Milton Keynes Marathon went to Jack Parslow of Dacorum & Tring Running Club who set a new course record in a time of 2:37:30. Second place went to Dan Carter in a time of 2:44:01 and third place went to James Gordon in a time of 2:46:23.
A number of local runners also finished in the top 10 including 6th Max Dillon in 2:48:34 of Ampthill & Flitwick Flyers and 10th place went to Chris Brookman in 2:50:34 of MK Lakeside Runners.
The first lady home was Kate Wright from Stratford Upon Avon RC who crossed the finish line in a time of 2:58:30 to set a new ladies course record. Second place went to Leanne Harling in a time of 3:04:15 and third place went to Jo Laing in a time of 3:08:46.
The MK Half Marathon was added to the event for 2014 and this year over 2,000 runners signed up for the 13.1 half marathon. The MK Half Marathon was won by Marcus Engstrom who raced across the finish line in a time of 1:15:27. First lady home in the half marathon event was Sophie Carter from Belgrave Harriers finished in 1:23:17.
The Geoffrey Leaver Corporate Challenge saw teams of four from scores of companies, individuals and organisations bidding to be crowned the fastest team. It was won by Team Redway Runners. Garry Biddle, Simon Read, Graeme Bickle and Tim Harris won the 26.2 mile relay race in a time of 2:49:50 setting a new course record for the relay event.
However, the biggest cheers were reserved for the participants of the Superhero Fun Run, sponsored by Acorn Childcare. Over 600 Superheroes of all ages and abilities ran, walked, hopped and skipped around the 1.5 mile route before crossing the finish line inside the stadium with the Amazing Spiderman to receive a shiny new medal.
everydayhero Milton Keynes Marathon is one of the top 10 marathon races in the UK so it has a lot to live up to. Race Director, Andy Hully, said, “My team work very hard to make improvements every year and we think that this year was the best yet. The England Athletics Adjudicator told me that our event was one of the best organized events he has scored. Our excellent volunteers and the people of Milton Keynes can be very proud of themselves today.
“Among the scores of good causes to benefit from the event were the marathon’s charity partners MK SET, Macmillan, World Vision and St John Ambulance. In the last three years the event has raised over £1.7 million for deserving causes and I’m sure this will increase after this year’s event.”
The event is now established as a major date in Milton Keynes’ sporting calendar, and the organisers are now turning their attention to the 2016 and further sporting success.