A group of spirited runners did Fenland proud as they pushed themselves to the limit in intense heat to complete the London Marathon yesterday.

Nine March AC runners took part in the gruelling race, with three of them finishing in the top 10 per cent of competitors.

Jason Perrin was first home for the club in a personal best of three hours 05.30 minutes, finishing 1,838 overall.

He was closely followed by Mick Stacey, who finished 2,127th in three hours 08.35 minutes, and Debra Wait, who finished 26th in her category and 2,793rd overall in three hours 13.58 minutes.

Her time was good enough to get her elite woman’s entry to next year’s race.

Personal bests were achieved by Karen Patterson (3.26.03) and Mark Salmons (3.32.00), while Dave Tuffnail (4.14.16) and Lisa Donkin (4.14.16) made it to the finish in their first marathons.

Serial marathon runner Frances Cooke (4.19.08) and Simon Render (4.25.11) completed the March AC contingent.

Wisbech based West Norfolk AC runner Shane Draper finished in a personal best of three hours eight minutes.

Fenland Running Club also had four competitors take to the capital’s streets.

Dan Wate was 4,882nd overall in a personal best of three hours 29.12 minutes, while Katie Ward broke the four hour barrier to finish 11,249th in three hours 58.08 minutes.

Next home was Richard Allen (4.42.20), with Laura Arnold completing the line up (4.53.48).