The 36th Running of this gorgeous half marathon was made all the more beautiful by the presence of a very special team of runners. The “Always With D” team, fresh from their immense cycle ride from St Thomas Square to St Andrews in Scotland, were back out in force to take on this historic Park in memory of our dearly missed club member Darren Andrew.
Headed by Darren’s amazing wife Jane, their daughters Louise, Charlotte and Briony, son in law Rich, Janes partners in all things running Claire and Alison and some 20 something others, these awesome human beings took on the 13.1 mile course with Darren in their hearts.
Starting in the shadows of Windsor Castle, the course unwinds itself around the Great Park passing many historic sights on the way. This is the only Royal park managed by the crown estate itself. The Park used to form part of a vast 13th century Norman hunting forest.
“It was quite a hilly course actually” Jane tells me “but it was a lovely day. It was full of laughter and fantastic people. Darren would have loved it”
They all did brilliantly too! Heading up what has become affectionately known as “team JAC” was Claire Howard who finished in 1.59.27. The first of Janes daughters Louise was next home in 2.00.33, an outstanding run from her. Jane ran the whole way with daughter (and new club member) Briony who smiled her way through the 13.1 miles in 2.05.20. A fantastic result in her first ever race. The “A” in JAC Alison Batchelor was next over the line in 2 hours 13 minutes. Janes daughter Charlotte, a complete non runner also ran brilliantly and completed the course in 2 hours and 31 minutes.
“Darren would have been a proud dad seeing his girls do so well” said Jane
Their “Always with D” campaign continues, raising money for the Intensive Care Unit at St.Marys that fight so hard to save Darren and The Donors Family Network which have supported Jane and the girls. So far they’ve raised over £8500. What a fantastic legacy.
Well done ladies, Rich and the rest of the team, you are an inspiration to us all.
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/louise-clark-1
