Well known local runner 23 year old Michael Kallenberg from Parcllyn and now a serving member of the RAF has continued with his success on the international running scene.

Some six weeks ago Mike ran for the RAF in the Amsterdam marathon and though finished the race in a respectable 2 hours 35 minutes and first RAF team member home he was far from happy with his performance and said he felt tired from the start, it was later found that he had been suffering from a virus. With six months of hard training behind him Mike didn’t want to put it to waste and managed to get a place in the last major marathon of the year in Florence Italy.

Last Sunday with weather conditions in Florence near perfect to run the 26.2 miles, after an early light shower of rain, there was no wind and an ideal temperature. From the gun Mike pushed hard getting into a group of seven athletes just behind the leading group of 9 Kenyans and Ethiopians . At 13.1 miles the half way stage Michael was still running strong going through at just over 70 minutes. Being in the top twenty athletes out of over 8,700 runners Mike found himself with his own motorcycle outrider to clear the enthusiastic Italian supports as he ran through the narrow and at times cobbled streets of this historic city.

Mike continued the race as he had started determined and full of running crossing the finish line in 2 hours 25 minutes and 19 seconds taking 15th place and reducing his personal best time for the distance by over 10 minutes. Greeted by his Dad Mark who had travelled out with him Mike was full of smiles commenting “Well that gamble paid off”! The race winner was Kenyan Asbel Kipsang in a time of 2.09.55.

Expecting to take a weeks rest Mike found himself being called upon to make up the RAF team numbers for the Combined Services Southern Cross Country Championships held at Brize Norton last Wednesday only 3 days after his Florence run. Rather than just making up numbers Mike found himself even with tired legs taking on the front runners and winning the race by over 30 seconds.

Mike’s next target is the Manchester marathon in April which has got the reputation of being a flat fast course.