PENARTH runners enjoyed some record breaking times and personal bests in the London Marathon over the weekend.

The 26.2mile race represented the end of months of training for one of the most prestigious marathons in the world.

16 Penarth and Dinas Runners joined around 35,000 others, as well as Paula Radcliffe in her last race, along the streets of London.

Almost every Penarth runner was happy with their finishing time; whether they achieved a personal best or overcame injuries and other problems to cross the finish line and pick up their coveted medal.

Many also chose to cross the finish line hand in hand with the nearest person, recreating how the first London Marathon race finished on its 35th anniversary.

Runners from Penarth weren’t just striving for personal bests, but many were also running in aid of several charities in the biggest fundraising event in the world.

The Penarth runners enjoyed an almost perfect trip to the capital city, thanks to all the travel, accommodation and pre-race day preparation being organised by Dave Williams from fellow local running club Les Croupiers.

On the day the conditions were ideal for marathon running; with a cold start easing off into a humid afternoon with a slight breeze.

After the Penarth runners disembarked from the coach they went their separate ways to start in the green, red or blue starting zones.

Gary Brown had been targeting running under three hours ever since he joined Penarth and Dinas Runners.

Preparation had gone well, but the pressure had been mounted up when fellow club members Richard Jackson-Hookins and Ben Butler-Madden finished the Manchester Marathon in 2.53 and 2.56 respectively the weekend before.

Gary, who was running in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, also had to contend with the marathon crowds in one of the busiest races in the world.

Despite all the nerves he pulled it out of the bag and smashed his target with a time of 2.51.42; achieving a negative split too is the icing on the cake. The time was also a club record in recent years.

Ian Warburton proved he was back to his best as he finished within 15 seconds of his PB in an impressive time of 3.14.58.

Chris Nellins, who continues to chalk up incredible times every single year, finished in 3.23.17.

Malcolm Bradley, another evergreen runner consistently running well, achieved a PB of 3.31.00.

Louise Hunt took nearly 10 minutes off her personal best in 3.41.29.

Lisa Cleary, who overcame various injuries in the build up to the race and during it, finished in 3.41.42.

Andrea Hurman, who was on course for 3.30 until late in the race, finished in 3.35.26.

Debbie Evans, who had battled against injury in the days before the marathon, ran strongly in 3.36.51.

Chris Seal, who was also on course for 3.30 until fading after 20miles, finished in 3.42.26.

Paul Mitchell, who was running his first marathon in aid of the JAM Fund, finished in 3.49.43.

Mandy Barrington continued her quest to finish a sub four hour marathon as she edged closer with a time of 4.11.14.

Yvonne Williams finished in almost exactly the same time as last year, as she chalked up a time of 4.15.54.

Tania Miranda finished in 4.18.48.

Lindsey Hunt, who was cheered on by her mum in the last few miles, overcame a tough marathon to finish in 4.21.09.

Steve Goodfellow hit the wall during the marathon, but battled on like a trooper to finish in 4.25.36.

Andrea Goodfellow slashed her PB to finish in 4.27.50.

Chris Seal ran the marathon in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society and can be sponsored here:

https://www.justgiving.com/sealrunslondon

Gary Brown ran in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research: http://m.virginmoneygiving.com/mt/uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=GaryBrown22&un_jtt_redirect

Andrea Goodfellow ran in aid of Backcare (the charity for back and neck pain) http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=andreagoodfellow

Paul Mitchell rain in aid of the JAM Fund: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=PaulMitchell18

Yvonne Williams ran in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=YvonneWilliamsPandD

The next race Penarth and Dinas Runners will be taking part in is the Cardiff Bay 5 on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4.

The running club meets at Penarth Leisure Centre at 7pm on Monday nights.

Anyone inspired by the London Marathon is welcome to try it out for a few sessions.