Flying Scott leads the locals through the streets of London
Stamford-based speedster Aaron Scott stole the show with an outstanding run which saw the Notts AC athlete finish 25th overall and third Englishman in a time of 2:19.18.
Scott was determined to get under 2:20 on the streets of London after narrowly failing for the past two years. And he took full advantage of the cool conditions to run a near perfect race keeping a consistent pace throughout.
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Hide AdReflecting on his run Scott was clearly delighted as he enthused: “The race went to plan and I was delighted with my time.
“I felt brilliant through halfway and kept holding things back.
“We picked up from 20 to 25k and a group of eight went down to a group of four.
“Again I felt good at 30k so pushed on again only to find myself on my own and running into a stiff breeze.
“On a better day I believe I have a 2:16 in me still!”
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Hide AdScott could be a contender for the 2018 Commonwealth Games if he makes that improvement.
Yaxley’s James Mogridge crossed the line in 177th position, lowering his personal best (PB) by four minutes with a time of 2:36.22, while team-mate Michael Morley finished in 2:56.59.
Thomas Musson of Werrington Joggers clocked 2:39.28 and acknowledged that this was the finest performance of his two-year running career.
Finishing just outside the top 200, the 32 year-old obliterated his previous fastest time of 2:48, set in Berlin last autumn.
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Hide AdMusson paid tribute to the fine support on the course saying: “My quads tightened very early on but I had company at the right times to brave it out.
“The support from the marshals and members of the local running community in the crowd really helped me. I loved it.”
Bushfield Jogger Phil Martin was delighted with his time of 2:39.28, finishing 210th, only four weeks after returning to running following an injury lay-off.
Martin’s Bushfield team-mates James Fisher and Barry Ryan got round in just over three hours, recording times of 3:02.28 and 3:04.10 respectively.
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Hide AdNene Valley Harriers’ best performer was 50 year-old Dave Neal with a 2:57.30 clocking.
Harriers Simon Bell, Chris Mooney, Oliver Slater, Barry Warne and Mike Chapman all finished among the top 4,000 in a field of over 40,000.
Marathon machine Martin Stevens of Werrington Joggers recorded his 15th sub three-hour race, while former Joggers star Anthony Johnson, now running for Kent AC, finished 112th in a speedy 2:33.59.
No-one is likely to have trained harder for the big day than Peterborough AC stalwart Steven Hall.
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Hide AdHe reaped the rewards of his labours with a 2:51.38 clocking.
Thorney’s Darren Ping and Kirk Brawn dipped under three hours, but the club’s star performer was veteran Sharon Hodgkin, who ran 3:23.33 on her marathon debut.
Suzy West of Eye Community Runners was the speediest local lady. West races sparingly, but impresses whenever she competes. Her 3:02.55 clocking placed her 76th lady.
Sarah Overington ran a fine 3:14.37, despite cramping badly in the final few miles.
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Hide AdStamford Striders had the biggest turnout of the local clubs with 19 finishers.
And had there been a prize for the fastest husband and wife combination, the Skinners would surely have been in contention, with James running a superb 2:40.44, and his wife Maggie finishing as the second fastest local lady in 3:04.05.
The 36 year-old had looked to be in with a chance of dipping under three hours for the first time until slowing in the final five miles.
Kate Nicolas also acquitted herself well with a 3:14.37 clocking.
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