Three of March Athletics Clubs finest runners secured places on the championship line for next year’s London Marathon after sprinting to success at this year’s event.

Debra Wait, chairman of the club, was the first runner home in an impressive time of three hours, nine minutes and 22 seconds, with Geraldine Larham finishing just two minutes behind – and sealing a new personal best – with a time of three hours, 11 minutes and 54 seconds.

Karen Paterson bagged her place on next year’s championship line with a time of three hours, 14 minutes and 23 seconds.

Also taking part in the most celebrated marathon of the season was Teilo Pearce, who was running his first 26.2-miler, and the debutant impressed with a time of four hours and 57 minutes.

Also across the line was Justin Elvidge, who ran a personal best time of three hours, 17 minutes and 11 seconds, Amy Ellis (PB) ran home in four hours, 22 minutes and 52 seconds and Pat Norris crossed the line with a time of four hours, 54 minutes and two seconds.