BOURTON Roadrunner Shona Crombie-Hicks proved undeterred by the wet and windy conditions when finishing an excellent second at the Belfast City Marathon in a time of 2:53.

Athletics

Bourton Roadrunners

Belfast City Marathon

The winner was Ethiopian Bayrush Shiferaw (2:41) and in third place came Northern Ireland athlete Karen Alexander (2:58).

Shona's overall position was an outstanding 20th out of more than 18,000 in the marathon.

Shona said: "I owe my podium finish to my training buddies at Bourton Roadrunners.

"Conditions were difficult but being showered with champagne at the end made

up for it."

Milton Keynes Marathon

MEANWHILE, participants in the Milton Keynes Marathon endured very

different, but similarly difficult conditions as the sunshine became increasingly warm as the race went on.

Bourton's four representatives had all run the Virgin London

Marathon just three weeks before.

Darren Long finished in 3:02:37; Steve Edwards was the official pacer for the sub-3:15 group, and completed his 633rd marathon in a machine-like 3:14:30.

Mike Hobbs crossed the line in 3:37:54, while Ian Shoemark had a difficult and unpleasant final few miles and showed great spirit to complete the run (despite feeling unwell) in 3:45:34.