British woman, Abi Gooch, has finished as the Top Woman at the 21st Logicom Cyprus Marathon with a time of 3 hours 23 minutes and 6 seconds. Abi has been an avid runner for over 20 years. She is a member of the fantastic Redway Runners running club from Milton Keynes that participated at the 21st Logicom Cyprus Marathon with a delegation of more than 80 members! Redway Runners is also one of the largest UK clubs and also probably the most inclusive and friendly clubs, catering for all abilities. Abi’s parents live in Cyprus and she visits quite frequently, which is also why she is a member of the Paphos Running Club which is based at the host city of the Logicom Cyprus Marathon! The Paphos Running Club members have been really welcoming and supportive towards Abi and assist her for getting the miles in when she is in Pafos for holidays. We discussed with Abi to find out more! Did you enjoy your win at the Logicom Cyprus Marathon? Did you expect it? I absolutely loved winning the Marathon.
I wasn’t going all out for a PB as I didn’t want to put pressure on myself but just enjoy it. I started at a reasonable pace and felt good throughout. I started running and chatting with a guy named Ian early on in the race and that helped the miles tick by. I was feeling good with a few miles to go and kept pushing on to the finish, finishing in just over 3hrs 23mins. It was made even more special that my Mum and Dad were there at the finish to see win, as they are my biggest fans, along with my husband and children! First Marathon Man (Adam Holland) and First Marathon Woman (Abi Gooch) How does it feel to win the golden olive wreath, which is dedicated to Stelios Kyriakides who was born in Paphos and won the 50th Boston Marathon (1946)? It was a great honour to receive the Golden Olive Wreath. I got a PB in the 2015 Boston Marathon and know what a great race it is. Related: Stelios Kyriakides – A winner of the Boston Marathon, born in Pafos What are some of your best running achievements? I used to do triathlons and completed an Ironman triathlon in 2007 but stick to running now due to time constraints with family and work but also as I am addicted to it!
Up to now, I have completed 65 marathons and I am hoping to get to 100 Marathons! Also, I completed the 2014 Marathon De Sables (a 7-day desert race) finishing 12th lady and ran 7 marathons in 7 days with an average time of 3:45 in 2015. Since The Logicom Cyprus marathon, I also managed a new PB of 3:12.44 at the Boston (UK) marathon which I am very pleased with. Abi Gooch arriving to the finish line! What are some of your habits before an important race? I don’t have any particular habits but don’t like taking a rest day the day before, have a good dinner the night before so that I don’t have too much breakfast in the morning. What would you advice a person who has just started running? Just get out the door! I can’t remember a time I ever regretted going for a run. The first mile is always horrible but it gets better. I love the feeling I get when I’m done which is why I usually run early in the morning.
How do you evaluate this year Logicom Cyprus Marathon organization? Would you recommend this race? I loved the race. It was the first time I’ve done it, despite visiting Paphos so often. I’ve done a lot of races and this is one of the best. The organisation was seamless, a great goody bag and T-shirt. The atmosphere was brilliant at the end, a real fun affair with a great prize giving set up and lots of prizes. The addition of the Wine run was good too! Are you coming back for the back to back win? Of course, I’ve not won many races and would love to achieve this again.
