THAT’s Lon-done for another year, with some amazing performances by Running Forever members at last weekend's Marathon.

Seven members took on the iconic course this year and lots more supported as over 40,000 set off.

First runner home in RFRC kit was Gerry Hogg, whose 2.47 time earned him fourth place in his age group.

There was a tussle for second member to get their medal with Dan Talbot and Ali Bisatt both notching up 3.03 finishes but Dan made it by 30 seconds.

Heather Pearce chased them up The Mall and crossed the line in 3.49, and the club’s first-time marathoner, Lee Derrick, who won the ballot for one of the RFRC places, was delighted with his 5.14 finish.

Simon and Lisa Denson, who travelled to Stratford-upon-Avon for the Shakespeare Half, weren’t put off by the threatened Tempest and finished together in 1.55.

El Perry celebrated her birthday with a 10K in Exmouth and finished in 63 minutes, earning an extra slice of birthday cake.

A race sponsored by a brewery is always going to attract the attention of Running Forever members so it was off to the Mendips for the Butcombe Ultra, which has 50-and 56-mile options.

Martin Webb took on the longer option and finished in 11.08 to earn his beer.

Adrian Edwards and Andy Burgess opted for the 50-mile route, taking 11.24; while Sarah Henderson and Robin Upton finished in 13.15 on the same route.

Two members travelled to Exeter for the Cupcake Caper with Morwena Dunstan completing ten miles in 2.10 and Lorna Anderson, who was taking on the Half Marathon distance for the first time, had a 2.25 finish.

Parkrun tourists ventured to Shepton Mallet, Worcester, Southwark, Burnham, Exmouth and Birkenhead.

Twenty-three took on the local course at Longrun Meadow, where Lisa Windsor ran her 50th parkrun and Dave Bullock his 150th.

***

TAUNTON Athletic Club had four members at the London Marathon at the weekend, and all four achieved personal bests with outstanding performances.

Injuries and niggles were unable to prevent them making it to the start line, and all the hours of training paid off with some very speedy times.

First home for TAC was Kate Drew in 2.45.48 which earned a finish in the top 20 for non-elite women, followed by Phil Roberts in 2.49.29.

Craig Whitemore - in his first marathon - recorded 3.17.02, and Emma Kiernan came home in 3.21.04.

***

TAUNTON Running Club also had a number of runners in the London Marathon last weekend.

Their times were:

Laura Davenport 4.02.54; Flora Bridges 4.38.14; Sarah Hart Alexander 4.56.47; Caroline Blair 5.00.35; Tim May 5.00.35; Vicky Raisey 4.52.46; Olivia Archer 4.51.47; Louise Hacker 5.19.42; Claire Justice 5.29.06; Lisa Tooze 5.23.57.

***

LAST week’s April and penultimate Weston Prom five-miler run of the season saw Hydro Harriers’ Ian Salter cruise home in 32.02 and 43rd spot from 256 runners.

Also rans were Mark Foss (32.49, 52nd) and Chris Jones (33.35, 63rd).

Rowland Lyons, in a series-first appearance, managed 42.17 (183rd).

Hydro Harriers’ Chris Jones is one away from a magic century of Longrun Meadow Parkruns after showing no signs of fatigue from Thursday’s Weston Prom, by finishing in a wind-battling 20min 55sec (18th from 303).

In another event won by his son, Sam, Andy White returned a solid 21.36 (22nd).