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World marathon record for Lewes AC runner
Not content with just running the London Marathon with 38,000 other runners Mike Ellicock a Lewes AC runner decided to go for a World record. Not just a simple world record but one that involved running the marathon with a 20lb pack on his back. Mike is not only a runner with Lewes AC but also an ex paratrooper with a distinguished military record.
Most club runners would be very happy indeed just to break the 3 hour time for the marathon and Mike did this with a 20lb weight on his back. His time of 2hours 56mins 39seconds broke the previous world record by 10 minutes. Not only was this a fantastic record but Mike was also raising funds for the Parachute Regiment to help them in their support for injured personnel.
In September 2000 Mike was a platoon commander in the Special Forces operation to rescue British hostages held in the jungle of Sierra Leone. Mike was wounded and would have died without rapid medical support.
There was also an extra reason for celebration as not only was the world record broken but Mike finished way ahead of a Royal Marine who was also going for the same record in the same marathon.
Also breaking the 3 hour barrier were other Lewes AC members with Lewis Sida leading the charge. His time of 2hours 39mins and 42 secs was not only a great time but placed him 18th in the men over 45 age category. Other club members breaking the 3 hour mark were Mark Cage with 2.56.53 and Allan Jackson with 2.59.34. Other club members completing the marathon and their times were Lee Woodgate (3.07.49); Shane Duncan (3.18.36); Andy Bradbury (3.29.15); Lynda Godfrey (3.29.09) and Mark Wilson (3.56.31)
A special mention must be made of Tara Twyman who finished the London Marathon in 3hours 37mins 26secs having just run the Manchester Marathon in a time of 3hours 23mins. The London Marathon was the second of eight marathons that Tara will be running in eight days to raise money for a school in India. Tara will finish her amazing fund raising effort with the very tough Three Forts Marathon run over the Sussex Downs.