KATE Williamson says it was an amazing feeling to break a British record that had stood for more than 20 years at Sunday’s Virgin Money London Marathon.
The Eynsham Roadrunner smashed the women’s veteran 70 mark in finishing in an impressive time of 3hrs 42mins 42secs.
It was more than five minutes faster than the previous record, set by Pat Trickett in Stone, Staffordshire, in October 1993.
Williamson, 70, who was competing in her fifth London Marathon, said: “It is amazing.
“I was going for the Vet 70 first place and people had told me I might get the record.”
The Eynsham resident added: “I was hoping to do 3.45.
“I went off too fast which I always have done and have tried not to do so this year, but failed.
“I was not too sure towards the end that I would make the time and I only had the pace I was running on my watch.
“The last couple of miles were mind over matter.”
Williamson spent a couple of months training for the marathon and received help and support from her clubmates.
She said: “I appreciate all the support Eynsham Roadrunners gave to me.
“I would not be running a marathon if it was not for them.”
RESULTS
LONDON MARATHON
Eynsham RR: 1300 B Pollard (V40) 2.55.24pb, 4383 H Hale (SL) 3.17.57, 8661 P Sonley 3.40.38, 8939 L Hillsdon 3.41.52, 9139 K Williamson 3.42.42 (1st LV70, UK LV70 record), 11103 S Humphrey 3.50.06, 25909 C Ogden (LV45) 4.45.59, 34847 L Bryant (SL) 5.41.16.
Witney RR: 2009 F Snare 2.59.30, 2546 E Kay 3.04.38, 3701 W Downey 3.13.25, 4305 C Litton 3.17.27, 4469 P Clack (V50) 3.18.28, 6846 R Green (V50) 3.31.25, 10552 N Morley(V40) 3.48.06, 11546 H Smith (LV45) 3.51.44, 12915 J Jones (V40) 3.56.20, 17084 H Cornes 4.11.22, 19300 N Moss (V40) 4.19.48, 19789 N Henman 4.21.35, 20939 S Christie (LV45) 4.25.59, 23593 P Rushby (V50) 4.36.20, 24661 T Durkin 4.40.51.
SOUTHAMPTON HALF MARATHON
Eynsham RR: 2266 B Jones 1.59.17, 2350 C Hancox (V50) 2.01.28, 2574 J Hancox 2.04.54, 2989 L Keeley (SL) 2.10.40.
SHAKESPEARE MARATHON
Eynsham RR: 220 N Clark (V50) 3.47.00.
SHAKESPEARE HALF MARATHON
Eynsham RR: 247 L Clark 1.40.19.
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