"Supporting the Community"

Gerry relaxing before the start.

One of the most popular annual events of the UK's sporting year took place over the weekend as the Flora London Marathon took over the nations capital.

There was plenty of local interest at the elite end of the field as twice winner of a Creigiau fun run Eurof Davies and Creigiau School Egg and Spoon Champion of 2001 Gerry O'Beirne carried the biggest hopes of home success.

Sunday marked the end of Flora's 14 years sponsorship of the marathon. During this time there have been some mind boggling statistics. A total of £422 million raised for charities, 98 million bottles of water drank, and 458562 runners have taken part.

Our athletes looking good..

On a bright and beautiful morning they gathered at the start on Blackheath common together with 35,000 others. With the race being started by Sir Chris Hoy, off they set in temperatures of 12°C.

The elite men, including Samuel Wanjiru , Tsegay Kebede and Jaouad Gharib, led them away at a pelt, clocking 4 minutes and 35 seconds for the first mile with Gerry and Eurof right on their heels !!!!.

With temperatures now rising to 16°C, Eurof got to halfway in 1 hour and 40 minutes with Gerry 3 minutes behind. The elite runners were still in sight at this stage, albeit on the other side of the dual carriageway as they returned from the Isle of Dogs whilst our boys made their way towards the docklands.

The two 22-year-olds, Wanjiru and Kebede, looked as fresh as Sunday morning joggers, however our two '40 somethings' couldn't match their youthful zeal.

When asked when he last saw Gerry, Eurof replied,"Not really sure when I saw Gerry last but at Cutty Sark he was enjoying the craic with Ronan Keating"

Not really sure when I saw Gerry last but at Cutty Sark he was enjoying the craic with Ronan Keating

As Samuel Wanjiru was sipping his champagne on the winners rostrum, Eurof was fast slowly approaching the 17 mile mark. Gerry, meanwhile was a few miles behind.

As Eurof raced, or was that limped down the Mall, the clocked ticked passed the 3 hours 30 minutes mark. Agonisingly Eurof was still 40 metres short of the line. 12 seconds later he crossed the finish.

Gerry, at this stage, was approaching the 24 mile mark and having left his new friend Ronan well behind, finished in a creditable 3 hours 48 minutes and 33 seconds.

Our athletes still looking good.

In the post race debrief on Horse Guards Parade, both runners were happy with their efforts. Eurof had achieved his best ever London time and Gerry had finished strongly despite losing 4-5 weeks training due to an ankle injury earlier in the year.

With a good job well done, both headed off to meet friends and replenish their fluid levels !!!

Rumour has it that they are already planning their next event. London 2012 perhaps !!! Watch this space.

Eurof would like to thank everybody who sponsored him. In total he raised approximately £800 towards the Wales Kidney Foundation.