There is only one way Stu Nicholas knows how to approach a race and that’s to go for the win
If ever there was a performance that wrapped inevitability, resilience and a healthy dose of swagger into one neat marathon-sized package, this was it.
The Hampshire Winter Feisty Phoenix, organised with cheerful bloody-mindedness by Phoenix Running along the beautiful Itchen Way in Winchester, offered runners a uniquely testing challenge: a 2.62-mile out-and-back, ten times over for the full marathon distance, with a cumulative 857 ft of elevation to ensure nothing came easy.
Stu Nicholas — Convincing from Start to Finish
Stu Nicholas was going for Marathon distance at the Hampshire Winter Feisty Phoenix
Enter Stu Nicholas. Fresh from a marvellous 33:22 PB at the Stubbington 10k in his first ever outing in “naughty shoes,” and after the disappointment of missing his usual Portsmouth Coastal Waterside Marathon through a nasty tummy bug, Stu arrived ready to make a statement. His momentum had already shown itself with a commanding win at the New Forest Xmas Trails 30k despite a detour or two, and Winchester would prove no different.
From the gun, Stu set a brisk rhythm — about 6:25 per mile for the first 14 miles — before sensible pacing took him through the next section around 6:35–6:45 per mile, reaching mile 23 with the race firmly under control. The final loops held firm, with Stu closing things out between 6:45 and just under 7:00 pace.
Blisters, Hills and Grit
Stu was head and shoulders above anyone of his fellow competitors
There were a couple of unexpected foes along the way too. As the miles wore on, blisters began to make themselves known — the sort of slow-burn irritation that starts innocuously and increasingly demands attention. Yet rather than panic, Stu absorbed them into his rhythm, managing discomfort the same way he managed his pace: with calm efficiency. It wasn’t pretty by the end, but then, marathon wins rarely are.
A Win of Rare Dominance
When he crossed the line in 2:53:09, it was emphatic. Stu’s average pace of 6:36 per mile scarcely told the full story of how far ahead he was — his nearest rival in the marathon, Ben White, clocked 4:05:03 with an average of 9:21 per mile. That made Stu’s margin of victory an astonishing 1 hour and 12 minutes. To put it in perspective, the winner of the half marathon managed “only” a 9:36 per mile average. But Stu? He was running a different race entirely.
Field, Distance and That Famous Aid Station
Stu completed the Marathon distance in 2 hours 53 minutes
Behind him, a strong contingent of runners finished the marathon, from Graham Malt (4:09:40) through to seasoned Phoenix regulars including Alan Haresnape (4:13:35) and Zandra Jones (4:30:50). Across all distances — half marathon, marathon and timed endurance participants — the day offered something for all abilities.
The event’s flexible format, big-hearted vibe and famous aid station with its sweet and savoury goodies added festival flavour to what was a tough, scenic day on the banks of the Itchen.
Seven Hours on the Clock
For those testing endurance beyond the standard distances, the 7-hour furthest distance challenge produced its own drama. Polly Marshall and Tom Lord both completed 31.4 miles, with Polly edging the honours in 5:47:55, while Jack Lord led the 28.8 mile brigade in 5:39:55.
In summary: Stu didn’t just win — he commanded. It was as emphatic a marathon victory as you’re likely to see, over a challenging certified course, on a day that blended grit, community spirit and old-fashioned running courage.