Delight In London

A huge new club record from James Saunders was the highlight from Sunday's London Marathon.

Fresh to the M60 age group this year, he sliced a mammoth 17 mins and 3 seconds from the previous record, clocking 3:02:36 in the UK road running's premier event. It took nearly five minutes from his previous best and placed him 17th overall in his age group, the fourth British M60 and 2103^rd overall.

For Julian Scanes, Sunday was another red letter day as he beat the three hour barrier for the third time at the classic distance. He clocked 2.56.55 to finish 1441^st overall.

Next home was Helen Anthony in 2837th in 3:10:00, then Susanna Goffe who was 5536^th in 3:29:01, followed by Mel Dunn in in 7074^th in 3:37:23, Sarah Pike, 10884th in 3:53:33, Paul Sharples in 20221st with 4:30:06, Laura Law in 24167^th in 4:46:36, Peter Blakesley in 24743^rd in 4:58:58 and David Bowen in 27535^th in 5:00:35. For Laura it was a remarkable 48 minute off her previous best.

Further afield, there were three Trotters taking part in the Loch Ness Marathon on Sunday. Ruth Johnson (4:52:10, 1712th), Kim Nicholls (04:42:21, 1528^th) and Sue Tremlett (5:25:00, 2137th) flew the Trotter banner in Scotland.

Much closer to home, a group of eight took part in Exe Estuary Half Marathon and Marathon, the former being part of the club championship. First home was Ben Elphick in 1:55:45 in 7^th, followed by Mandy Wheeler in 1:59:35 in 9^th. Next home was Alan Kember in 2:08:36 in 16^th, followed Bon Rymel 2:12:36 in 20^th and Dominique Harcourt in 2:31:20 in 43^rd.

Club men’s captain Ben Elphick said: “Tough conditions to start, heavy rain that cleared. Course was very muddy as a result.”

In the marathon, Roger Hayes was 2^nd in 3:57:13, Natalie Cusack was 4^th in 4:13:52 and Sharon Sharples was 32^nd in 6:19:07. Afterwards, Roger said: “A lovely dry sunny day, which actually got quite hot! The marathon was an out and back route, starting at Budleigh, following the coast path to Topsham. Some good climbs at the start and again at the finish.”