For those who failed to get into last month’s London Marathon, two other popular marathons took place at the weekend.

Two Istead and Ifield Harriers took part in the increasingly popular Halstead Marathon in Essex on Sunday where Jason Beaney finished in a time of 4:41:22, just a few places ahead of fellow club member Helen Fooks who achieved a personal best. More than 600 runners completed the event over an undulating two lap circuit.

Over one thousand runners took part in Stratford-upon-Avon’s Shakespeare Marathon. Istead’s Jan Giles ran in her first marathon for a couple of years and made the journey to the Midlands all the more worthwhile by finishing as first lady in her age group in a time of 5:22:21.

Closer to home and at a distance more suited to the weekend’s balmy temperatures, three runners took part in the Larkfield 10k road race, a fairly flat and fast 2 lap course around West Malling. Ray Pearce, for the second successive weekend, was the club’s first finisher in 13th position overall from over 300 runners. Ray once again also finished first in his age group.

Results:- Halstead Marathon – Jason Beaney 443rd 4:41:22; Helen Fooks 460th 4:48:25

Rotary Shakespeare Marathon – Jan Giles 1036th 5:22:21

Larkfield 10k – Ray Pearce 13th 37:46; Simon Parrin 36th 40:55; Bob Carter 293rd 1:01:20