Post haste

Courier Editorial Panellist Nick Park on Epping postie Gavin Lewis’ runaway success.

Many of us can only dream of achieving a sub-three-hour marathon performance. As a former club athlete myself, I know how tough it can be to stagger anywhere near this illustrious milestone.

But my Epping Delivery Office colleague Gavin Lewis is, arguably, the UK’s paciest postie. His marathon personal best is two hours and 32 minutes, which he notched up in Tokyo in 2018. He completed his first London Marathon, in 2017, in two hours and 38 minutes. In fact, he’s clocked sub-threehour times in four London Marathons.

Last October, he took part in the Chicago Marathon, returning a time of two hours and 57 minutes.

Gavin, who’s also a talented short distance runner, is renowned for completing his round quickly and has been known to throw on his trainers to run to and from work.

“I was knocked back by coronavirus in 2022, so my new year target is to build back stronger as an athlete,” says Gavin.

“In March, I’m targeting a 75-minute Chelmsford Half Marathon run and would relish the opportunity to take part in the New York Marathon.”