Two English teachers from a Haverhill secondary school – who only met for the first time last week – managed to bump into each other as they prepared to tackle the London Marathon.
Out of thousands of runners mingling at the start of the race on Sunday, Samuel Ward Academy teachers Amanda Martin and Paul McKenna saw each other – despite not even knowing they were both taking part.
The pair had met for the first time at school last week as Amanda has only just joined Samuel Ward.
Speaking after running her fourth marathon in a time of three hours and 51 minutes, Amanda said: “As I was at the start line, he came over. Out of thousands of people, there he was.
“I’ve shown the students my medal and I think when I did they can see you can achieve anything if you work hard.”
Fellow English teacher Paul ran the course in three hours and 15 minutes, completing his fifth marathon, and said the crowds were even bigger this year due to the hot weather.
He said: “It was punishingly hot for the runners but for the crowds it was a sunny, hot day to enjoy and they carried me around.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here