All 4 runners complete the Blickling Half Marathon 19/03/23
Earlier this year we announced that Stephen Lambert (nephew of Sue Lambert) had got in touch with us to say that his son Kieran and two people he worked with, Katarina and Chris were going to complete the Blickling half marathon and fundraise for Sue Lambert Trust. Former Trustee Alice Boesen also came on board making a team of 4 runners.
Anna our Digital Fundraising and Engagement Officer attended on the day and has given her account for you below.
7:45am I joined a steadily growing queue of traffic outside the magnificent Blickling Hall, with it’s beauty and grandeur a beautiful set against the slightly murky blue sky (luckily the rain held off).
8:00-8:30am: After I parked I made my way up to the front of the Hall and positioned the Sue Lambert Trust flag by the start line, things were starting to feel electric with people filtering into the venue collecting their race numbers and dropping bags off ready for the start. It was here i met with Alice, Katarina and Chris and also met Stephen with his family who were waiting for Kieran to arrive. As Kieran arrived, it was getting close to the starting time but with traffic outside still it was likely to be a slightly delayed start. Everyone had their photos taken and I gave them the best of luck and made my way to my marshalling position right outside the hall. I was to be one of the first faces they would see as they ran out of the main gates.
8:37am: A little delayed but the race began, it became clear at this point just how many runners there were, 650 people were recorded as completing the race. As they passed me, they headed towards the Buck Arms where Clive our CEO was stood to cheer them on as they passed.
9:40am: At approximately 9:40am we headed to the 7 mile mark, this would be their first time passing this point, where there were plenty of people cheering and making noise to encourage them on their way.
10:20am: After cheering our runners and the others as they passed I headed towards the finish line to ensure i was there ready to capture them crossing the finishing line. Kieran even made an impressive sprint finish! All of their times were amazing and they completed the course in the following times:
Kieran – 2:03:49
Katarina – 2:05:51
Alice – 2:22:13
Chris – 2:25:45
11:00-11:30am: – Everyone congratulated one another and they went and collected their medals, which were beautiful depicting Blickling Hall surrounded by beautiful spring flowers. It was lovely to meet everyone’s family that came and genuinely see how much it meant to them all, to have completed the 13 miles on behalf of the Sue Lambert Trust.
I would like to thank them all for their hard work, dedication and training they put into this event and between them they have raised £1956 to date. It really was a complete honour to watch them as they completed the course.
Their fundraising pages will be open a little longer, if you would like to donate the links are below:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/aliceboesen
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kieran-lambert2
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-matthews63
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/katarina-terzieva1
Between myself and Stephens wife Toni we got some amazing photos on the day, you can see some of them below!
Upon catching up with Stephen this morning he said
“What a great day it was.
“It was a very early Sunday morning start at 6am. outside was wet and windy, but I guess Aunt Sue was looking down on us because by 7:00 the rain and the wind had subsided.
“I am very proud of all the people that ran on behalf of the Sue lambert trust on what I was told was one of the hardest half marathons anyone had completed.
“It was a great tribute to my Aunt Sue and to be able to help this charity in some small way was my honour and I look forward to helping again in the future.
“Congratulations to Kieran, Katarina, Alice, and Chris.”
