CHARD Road Runners were off to the London Marathon at the weekend, with six competitors mixing it with the huge field of 45,000-plus runners.

Nina Wagstaff, Addie Douglass, Neil Adams, Wayne Loveridge, Rod McLean and Jeremy Taylor knew they were in for a tough day with record temperatures.

All CRRs were off to a flying start, Wayne Loveridge making quick progress in his first ever London Marathon.

Rod McLean found progress harder in such a big field, Nina Wagstaff set up a good strong pace, with Jeremy Taylor keeping in contention.

Rounding Tower Bridge, Loveridge was really showing his current form with a half marathon time of 1h 21m 34s, McLean was next in 1h 36m 50s, Wagstaff followed in 1h 42m 14s with Taylor 1h 43m 22s.

Adams rounded the bridge in 2h 3m 17s and Douglass went through in 2h 6m 54s, all making fantastic progress as the conditions got hotter at street level.

The second half of the marathon was a tough task for all but Wayne Loveridge crossed the line in an amazing 2h 46m 45s; next was Rod McLean in 3h 26m 31s, followed by Jeremy Taylor in 3h 30m 14s.

Nina Wagstaff came home in 3h 43m 31s, Neil Adams crossed in 4h 25m 31s, while Addie Douglass finished in 4h 49m 36s.

Chard & Ilminster News:

PODIUM: Stevie Potter (second lady) and Rachel Collins (first lady) at the Wincanton Triathlon.

Three CRRs took on a different challenge at the Wincanton Triathlon – a mix of a 400m swim, 27k cycle and 5k run.

Rachel Collins, Stevie Potter and Celia Cohen took the plunge, Collins out first with Potter and Cohen in the chasing pack.

The three CRRs were all in contention heading into the run, but it was Collins who held out and finished as first lady.

Potter was hot on her heels and Cohen was fourth lady by just three seconds.