Local Runner Achieves Marathon Double In Just Six Days
Mary Jones from Olney recently completed the Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual marathon. With over 30,000 runners competing on the iconic 26.2-mile route from Hopkinton to Copley Square, Mary didn’t just finish — she smashed a massive personal best, crossing the line in 3 hours and 35 minutes!
Six days and a transatlantic flight later, Mary joined the Guinness World Record 59,830 finishers in the 2026 TCS London Marathon with a time of 4 hours and 18 minutes.
Mary, who runs and coaches with her local club, Olney Runners, said she decided to go for the double when she qualified for a ‘good for age’ place in both races by completing the MK Marathon in 2025 in 3 hours 37 minutes and “she couldn’t pass up the opportunity!”. Also running in the London Marathon were fellow club members Katie Godof, Chris Ling, Thérèse O’Riordan, Dan Schofield, and Enzo Seminerio, while Deby Potten completed the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay around Olney.
Mary’s no stranger to marathons having now run a total of eight and the New York Marathon is on her bucket list, however, she would like to do an ultra-trail marathon next, which is 50 or 60 kilometres.
She’s been involved in the Olney Runners for the last 11 years; “I’m proud to be a member of such a fantastically supportive community, where everyone is so friendly and inclusive. This club is for all levels of running and we have a lot of fun every week. Coaching is a way of giving back and I enjoy seeing people progress in their running performance as well as their confidence.“
If this inspires you to take up running yourself and you’d like to know more about Olney Runners, go to olneyrunners.org.uk
