Like a man whose already formidable running arsenal has been given an extra edge, Bournemouth AC’s Stuart Nicholas continued his outstanding run of form with a superb victory in the Norfolk Marathon, storming to success in 2:46:52 and adding yet another impressive achievement to an already distinguished catalogue of performances.

A proven winner long before carbon plates entered his life, Stu has always been a fierce competitor and serial race victor. But since finally embracing the super-shoe revolution a little later than many, he appears to have unlocked an exciting new level — combining his trademark toughness and racing instinct with an extra gear that is now translating into even quicker times.

The signs had been there. Just a week before Norfolk, Stu blasted to a huge 16:03 PB at Poole parkrun, while his excellent 33:22 PB at Stubbington 10k earlier in the year confirmed that he was enjoying arguably the sharpest form of his career.

Fresh from his previous marathon triumph at the wonderfully relentless Hampshire Winter Feisty Phoenix — where he conquered ten out-and-backs in 2:53 — Stu arrived in Norfolk full of confidence. His marathon PB of 2:37:31 from Brighton in 2022 remains the gold standard, but this latest success was another powerful reminder that he remains one of the club’s most dependable big-race operators.

If Stu expected a gentle day out on the Norfolk roads, the course soon had other ideas.

The opening mile served up a stiff climb, but Stu attacked it with trademark boldness, charging uphill at 5:55 pace and immediately stamping his authority on proceedings. Such was his ambition that only eventual half marathon winner Matt Noble of Hillsborough & Rivelin was anywhere near him in the early exchanges, while the rest of the marathon field were quickly left to battle for minor honours.

The ascent continued through mile two, but Stu remained unflustered with a 6:09 split before roaring back with a 5:52 third mile. Settling beautifully, he then reeled off six more miles comfortably under six-minute pace, reaching ten miles with a 6:01 split and looking every inch the man in control.

As the course became more demanding, Stu’s challenge shifted from pure pace to measured resilience.

Splits of 6:18, 6:06 and 6:21 from miles 11 to 13 showed he was still handling the terrain superbly, and another 6:01 for mile 14 reinforced his strength. But the hills kept coming. A 6:35 sixteenth mile and a punishing 6:42 on the eighteenth reflected the growing difficulty, while another incline at mile 20 ensured this was becoming a true test of marathon resolve.

Then came perhaps the toughest stretch of all — miles 22, 23 and 24 all climbing steadily, forcing Stu to dig deep as he ground out 7:00 to 7:10 pace. Yet crucially, despite the course’s best efforts, no rival could seriously threaten his lead.

At 24.5 miles, the road finally tipped downhill, and Stu responded like a champion sensing the finish. Finding fresh momentum, he lifted back towards 6:45 pace and powered home to claim victory in 2:46:52 — nearly a minute clear of John Hudson of Norwich Road Runners, who finished second in 2:47:44. Chris Gray took third in 2:49:46, with Ashley Gilbert of Dereham Runners fourth in 2:51:44.

Behind Stu’s excellent front-running display, Emma Burley was first female in 3:08:47, while Matt Noble’s early pace proved worthwhile as he secured the half marathon title in 1:19. Stu’s wife Anna Trehane did the marathon as well, completing the course in 4 hours 45 minutes.

For Bournemouth AC, though, this was all about Stu — an athlete who was already highly accomplished, but who now seems to be marrying years of racing excellence with a fresh surge in speed.

The result? More wins, faster times, and an athlete who looks increasingly capable of pushing his already impressive limits even further. Norfolk was simply the latest proof that Stu Nicholas, already a top-class competitor, may still be discovering just how quick he can be.