Lola Smal

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Born Leontien Misske, Lola came out of Europe in the post war year of 1947 as a 14 year old refugee.  Born in the Ukraine with a Polish mother and German father - her linguistic talents allow her to converse anywhere in the Slavic countries.

Her running career started in a 5k fun run in Leverhulme Park at the age of 46.  At the age of 50 she was the 0/50 double world champion, Running 10k in 40.10 and the following day 25k in 1.48.14.

Lola raced any distance from 100m (17.1) track, to a 5h 42m time for the over 30 mile trek of the Howarth Hobble.

Her cross country record as a veteran is second to none with an achievement of winning nine County titles, twelve Northern titles and eight National titles.  Lola also gained her England vest in 1989 at Bedford Home Counties.

But her favourite race distance is the marathon, her fastest time of 3:14:17 being achieved at 56, and a brilliant 0/60 time of 3:25:05.  Both races run at Stone in Staffordshire.  Both were British age group records at the time, in fact her 0/55 record was only broken last year after being on the books for 16 years. These times are still the second fastest of all time.

Lola is also very proud of her local records in particular the Pike race where she already holds four age group records and is hoping this year to add the 0/70 time to that list.

PB’s:

Dist Time Event Year Age
100m 17.1 National vets championship Cwbran 1988 54
200m 36.03 National vets championship Cwbran 1988 54
1500m 5:35 National vets championship Cwbran 1988 54
10k 40:10 World Championship Blackpool 1984 50
10 mile 67:49 Ribble Valley 1987 53
½ Marathon 1:31:12 Hindley Green - Won ladies race outright 1986 52
20k 1:26:00 Northern Vets 1984 50
25k 1:48:14 World Championships Blackpool 1984 50
20 mile 2:30:34 C & A 20 1989 55
Marathon 3:14:17 British vets championship, Stone 1990 56

Lola’s main ambition is to keep fit and active as long as she is able, and to continue her running career - competing as often as she can.  Her longer term ambition is to beat the current O/75 British marathon time of 4:21:40.