FIVE Chard Road Runners participated in the London Marathon at the end of last month – Wayne Loveridge, Bernie Genge, Paul Masters, Helen Baxter and Richard Lovelock.

With the first few miles slightly downhill, they were careful not to start too fast, and as the race progressed round the Cutty Sark all were going well and taking in amazing support from the crowds.

First home for the club was Loveridge in 02:56:41, followed by Genge (03:21:33), Masters (04:08:20), Baxter (04:42:06) and Lovelock (05:12:02) – an amazing achievement by all.

Last Sunday saw Baxter, Genge and Masters back in action, at the North Dorset Village Marathon in Sturminster Newton.

With tired legs but taking on a beautiful route, the trio set off at a steady pace.

Masters slowly moved ahead of Genge as the race progressed, and he crossed the line in 04:06:30, ahead of Genge – who had slowed to help injured Chard runner Lisa Mather, who had torn a knee ligament – in 04:20:53, and Baxter (05:15:13).

The next race for CRRs was the Southampton Marathon and Half Marathon, with Addie Douglass in the Marathon and Andy Mear in the Half.

Both runners were heading to the start-line on untested legs following injuries, and Douglass was making good and disciplined progress before her injury flared up again.

Douglass had to dig deep to maintain pace, and her determination saw her over the finish line.

Mear took it easy over the first few miles, but he maintained focus and crossed in 02:21:21.

There were four members in the inaugural running of the Bridport Half Marathon; first into the home straight for CRRs was Liam Whyte (01:38:15), followed by Simon Hall (01:58:25), Claire Pomeroy (02:03:20) and Nicky Smith (02:45:01).

With the opening of the running season proper, Chard Road Runners are running ‘Bring a Friend’ evenings for anyone who would like to make their first steps into running or to progress their current running; the sessions will be on Tuesday, May 16 and Thursday, May 18, both starting at 7pm from Chard Cricket Club.