From Goodwood to 'London' ... Polegate Plodders out in force

It has been a busy few weeks for the Polegate Plodders as events slowly start to restart after they were cancelled earlier in the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Plodders turn out to support HeatherPlodders turn out to support Heather
Plodders turn out to support Heather

Mega mileage man Marco Fortmann ran the Goodwood Marathon. Competing in his second Goodwood and 23rd overall, Fortmann finished with a chip time of 3hr 57min 47 sec, his second best overall time, in blustery conditions.

“It felt great to be back running actual races with Covid measures in place through staggered starts based on predicted finish times,” Fortmann said.

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“Although my 23rd official marathon, I have forgotten how tough on the body and mind marathons really are but the sense of achievement is awesome.”

Heather Long on her virtual London MarathonHeather Long on her virtual London Marathon
Heather Long on her virtual London Marathon

A week later, Fortmann was competing in his 24th – around Ashdown Forest as part of the RunBelievable Winnie the Pooh Challenge, five times around the muddy and wet 5.2 mile course.

Combining it with his 4th Virtual London Marathon, Fortmann finished in 5.55.04.

“I am not going to lie, it was the toughest, wettest and muddiest marathon to date; nearly 3000 ft of total ascent and mud and water throughout,” said Fortmann.

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On more gentle terrain, Heather Long completed her Virtual London Marathon around the streets of Eastbourne in 4.55. Joined at various points by fellow Plodders, her route included the seafront, Pevensey Bay, Westham, Shinewater and Polegate.

Marco Fortmann at GoodwoodMarco Fortmann at Goodwood
Marco Fortmann at Goodwood

Denise Dyer was the club’s official representative for the London Marathon 2020 and like Heather, she completed it virtually around Eastbourne and Polegate. Accompanied by members and friends, Dyer completed it in a time of 7.12.21.

Last weekend, Gary Skinner and Brett Burton decided to go one better than a marathon by completing the Fortitude Ultra in Nutley. Skinner ran for Hastings Sanctuary and has raised over £200 so far. He completed the 37.2 mile course in a time of 7.02, Burton finished in a time of 6.56.

To conclude the weekend’s events, Martin Sales and Shauni Wells completed their Virtual Brighton 10ks in superb conditions along Eastbourne seafront.

Sales finished in 52.41and Wells in a time of 1.21.38. Both runners were joined by Sales’ partner Sarah Doherty.

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