SOME 21 runners from Winchester and District A.C. took part in the London Marathon this year.

The wet day didn't dampen the spirits as the excitement of the occasion and the tremendous support from the crowds provided another memorarable day.

There were some great results from the Winchester athletes, particularly from Michaela McCallum who just missed the Olympic qualifying time to finish in an excellent 2 hours 39 mins.

Second lady for the club was Katharine Jones who set a new personal best of 3 hours 3mins. Unfortunately, Bev Edwards the club's other top lady runner, dropped out at half-way with an illness. Third lady was Bev Gibson (3.17), followed by Karen Hazlitt (3.27) and Fiona Betts (3.30), both new pbs.

In the men's race Malcolm Campbell finished in a good 2hrs 25 mins, followed by George Hide and Andrew Greenleaf in 2 hrs 40 mins, both new pbs.

Other good results were Jonathan Robinson and Andy Carton in their first ever marathons, finishing in 2.55 and 3.14 respectively and Paul Witcombe in 3.06.

The two oldest members of the club running, who both finished in excellent 'good for age' times were 61-year-old Jonathan Kane in 3.30 and 69-year-old Bernard Bennett (3.56).

One other good result recently was from 47-year-old Paul Sidaway who ran an alternative marathon two weeks before and won it in an excellent 2.50.