Injured Lunn failed to blossom in Olympic trial at Kew Gardens and results from Thorney Running Club’s Keith Hall Memorial race

The 28 year old Helpston Harrier had clocked 2:17.59 on his marathon debut in London last October, and was hoping to go even faster at Kew.

The 12-lap course offered plenty of promise after being described by British distance running legend Dave Bedford as being ‘as fast as any course I have ever seen.’

Confidence on the start-line is key for any marathoner, but the seed of doubt had been sown in Lunn’s mind. He hadn’t enjoyed the ideal preparation having missed two key weeks training with a hamstring niggle.

Sadly the troublesome muscle started playing up as soon as the race began, and Lunn was forced to pull out at just beyond the seven mile mark.

“I’ve had the hamstring niggle for a while and I can’t shake it off” said Lunn.

“I was hoping it wouldn’t be too bad for the race, but I could feel it straight away.

“I wanted to give it a go just in case as there is such limited racing at the moment.”

Lunn plans to take on the distance again in the autumn, but will wait until nearer the time to decide where he will race.

* The popular Keith Hall Memorial 10k took place last weekend as a virtual race.

The event organised by Thorney Runners is a fitting memorial to club legend Keith Hall , and regular ‘Unsung Hero’ finalist in the annual Peterborough Telegraph Sports Awards, who passed away in 2019.

Usually Thorney members are busy helping out on race day, but the nature of the virtual event allowed many to compete and the 63 entries included 20 athletes from the host club.

Eye Community Runner Adam Charlton was the fastest man with a decent 39.51 clocking.

Elisabeth Sennit-Clough of Peterborough Nene Valley AC was the leading lady in a time of 41.51.

Jack Brown of Thorney Runners was fastest in the junior 3km event in a time of 10.50.

Isabella Hurn was the quickest girl with a 14.19 clocking.