It was a hot day in London for this race, which saw Sebastian Sawe make history by breaking the two hour barrier for a marathon and setting a new world record. The second place Jacob Kiplimo, also broke the previous record and the two hour barrier.  How hot is the competition at the top? You have a cracking run, break the world record and also the two hour barrier and you end up coming second.  

Talking of cracking runs, Jimmy Craig had a flawless run to finish under the two and a half hour mark.  It looked like he managed his pace well throughout the race and came home comfortably with an excellent time and an excellent position.  

Not far behind him was Ben Whitehead who set off at a steady pace, but gradually increased it as the race progressed.  Again, it looked as though he had a plan and he stuck to it and was rewarded with a very good time.  

Behind him was Robert Cranham.  He is really a fell runner, but fancied having a go at the London Marathon.  Two weeks ago, he took part in the Boston Marathon (Boston, Lincs) and today was his big day.  At Boston, he had some trouble with his hip and at the fifteen mile point today, his hip once more started to give him pain.  But he battled on through it and finished with a respectable time. 

Lastly, we all knew that once Lucy Brown put her toe on the line, she would finish the race and not only did she finish it, but she too, did it in a respectable time.  All in all, a good day out for the Barlickers in London.

144 Jimmy Craig 2:28:28
1013 Ben Whitehead 2:44:11
5472 Robert Cranham 3:13:10
29854 Lucy Brown 4:28:41

It was a lovely sunny day, but the heat proved too much for John Boothman and he just did not have the power.  He finished with a struggle as he fell coming off Ingleboroug which induced a mega cramping fit which was very painful.  He was helped by several other runners and he finished with some of them.  

It was a good performance by Helen Harrison.

375 Helen Harrison 5:17:42
494 John Boothman 5:46:18
DNF Andy Berry