A MEMBER of Chard Road Runners took part in the first-ever Yeovil Marathon on Sunday – just 48 hours after he had completed an arduous bike ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

Jeremy, 47, took 12 days to do the cycle ride and even took a longer 1,270-mile route rather than the “quicker” 870 miles as seen on the famous John O’Groats signpost.

“I got to John O’Groats Friday afternoon and then caught the night-train back down and arrived at Crewkerne station on Saturday afternoon.

“I had a good night’s sleep and then came over to do the Yeovil Marathon.”

He has been raising money for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and had been looking to achieve a marathon time of 3hrs and 15 minutes, which is a qualifying time for the London Marathon.

Jeremy also said that the run would give him the chance to see if long distance cycling beforehand actually helped to prepare his legs for the 26-miles of a marathon.

Although Jeremy missed out on gaining a London qualifying time, he still finished the marathon in a superb time, considering he had only just cycled 1,270 miles, of 3hrs 30.

More than 200 athletes gathered at the start line at RNAS Yeovilton, organised by the Yeovil Town Road Running Club.

The overall winner was Tim Hawkins, of Wells City Harriers, who came home in a time of 2:47:21 – just over a minute ahead of runner-up Owen James, of Kimberworth Striders. Stephan Gehne, of Seethen Galaxy, was a further minute behind in third place.

The first female finisher was Elspeth Turner of Horsham Blue Star & Wells City in 22nd place overall in a time of 3:14:34.

The second woman to complete the marathon was Nina Wagstaff, of Chard Road Runners, in a time of 3:19:26 and 30th overall.

She was the first of the club’s runners to complete the course, with team-mate Martin Holley the second Chard finisher in 33rd in 3:20:16.

The Yeovilton Military Wives Choir was one of the nominated charities to receive proceeds from the marathon along with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.