…Try, try again. A marathon hat-trick by Mark Webster, in his own words

“I started 2025 with plans to run another sub 3 at the Belfast Marathon in May, only to succumb to an injury, one I was told may severely hamper my marathon running.

“Before the injury, Berlin in September was meant to be my PB attempt but to just make it to the start line was something I wasn’t sure I could achieve. Determination and pure bloody mindedness meant I did! Priority changed from PB attempt to a Chicago Marathon qualifying time of 3:20. Lack of fitness and heat put paid to that with a time of 3:23:56.

“Two weeks later I was at the start line of the Chester Marathon. With Berlin still in my legs I just missed out, or at least I thought, by 58 seconds, finishing in 3:20:58.

“With thoughts of a third attempt in four weeks, I discovered the Chicago qualifying time had in fact been lowered to 3:15 for 2026. Despite two tough marathons in such a short period of time, I decided to go for a third and final attempt at the Yorkshire Marathon in York! Not only did I smash the target for Chicago with a time of 3:09:17, I’m hopeful that it’s also enough for entry to the Boston Marathon in 2027!

“Let’s see what 2026 brings. Another sub 3? PB? Who knows! NEVER. GIVE. UP.”

Well done to Mark. We were actually surprised not to see him in Frankfurt to make it four marathons in five weeks!