Two epic races in under a week for club athlete.
An amateur marathon runner, who completed two gruelling 26 mile events in six days and on different continents, has praised her local club for their support.
Mary Jones from Olney, took part in April’s Boston Marathon, the world's oldest and most prestigious annual run. With over 30,000 runners competing on the iconic 26.2-mile route, Mary smashed a personal best time, crossing the line in 3 hours and 35 minutes.
Six days and a transatlantic flight later, Mary joined 59,830 finishers in the 2026 TCS London Marathon, finishing with a time of 4 hours and 18 minutes.
The athlete has now run eight marathons and says she has put the famous New York race on her ‘bucket list’. She runs and coaches with local club, Olney Runners, and says she would also like to do a gruelling ultra-trail marathon, which is 50 or 60 kilometres long.
“I’m proud to be a member of such a fantastically supportive community, where everyone is so friendly and inclusive,” she said. “Coaching is a way of giving back and I enjoy seeing people progress in their running performance as well as their confidence.”
Olney Runners are inviting anyone interested in running to join them for a Wednesday night club run, to mark Global Running Day on Wednesday 3rd June.
“Whether you’re an experienced runner, getting back into it, or just starting out, everyone is welcome,” said a club spokesperson. “We’re a very friendly and supportive club with groups to suit all abilities and paces.”
To get the most out of club night, runners should be comfortable running 5km in 45 minutes or less. To join in, send your details to info@olneyrunners.org.uk including your name and approximate 5km time.
