Sun 23 April 2017
Eight proud Preston Harriers made the journey down to London last weekend to take part in the 37th London Marathon. After months of training in wintry cold conditions the Harriers were greeted with a chilly, very cloudy sky at the various start points around Greenwich. Conditions at 10am were perfect for marathon running and the runners anticipated achieving good performances. In the latter stages of the morning however the sun broke through the clouds and the temperature began to rise. This affected most of the runners wherever they were positioned on the course at the time.
The crowds in London swelled in the midday sunshine cheering the runners on along all parts of the course which sets out from Greenwich and loops around the south bank of the River Thames before crossing Tower Bridge just after mile 12. The course then loops around the Isle of Dogs and Canary Wharf before heading back along the Embankment towards Big Ben and the iconic finish line on The Mall, just in front of Buckingham Palace.
First Harrier home was Toney Donnelly in a time of 3.00.36, closely followed by Chris Wales in 3.02.39. Further down the field was Gary Pennington in 3.27.05, then Steven Macuras, who had suffered with leg cramps, in 3.35.18. Next home was Steve Mort, who also suffered in the warm conditions, in 3.42.36 then Steve Needham in 3.46.25. Other Harriers who completed the field were Ben Read in 3.58.27 and Alan Metcalf (running with his wife) finishing together in 4.16.07.
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