The Abingdon Marathon begins at Tilsley Park. The route is round by Radley Lakes, through the town centre, twice round a circuit from South Abingdon through Drayton and Sutton Courtney, then back through the town centre and up the Wootton Road to Tilsley Park.

It is a fairly flat course and today started off chilly but soon turned to October sun. (Susan Douglas and Rob Taylor from Abingdon Amblers AC are pictured near Lodge Hill – just a few minutes after the 9 am start.)

As always it was well organised and friendly with lots of stewards to direct the runners and try to direct the traffic. There were some minor adjustments to the route through the town centre this year – it crossed the Market Place instead of going under the Abbey Gateway just before the 5 mile point.

Being Abingdon, there are some good waterside stretches like this view from St Helen’s Wharf towards Abingdon Bridge.

Colin Paton from the Army Athletic Association had the highest number – 1126 – on his vest, but he was to come in as number 1. Colin came in first in 2006 and was disqualified because he had not registered properly so it is good to see him win. Time this year 2:33:48.

Paul Waterston of Morpeth Harriers came in second, and first in his age category (MV40). Time 2:36:24.

In the women’s race Helen Taranowski – number 218 – came in first. Time 2:53:52. The rest of the results can be found on www.abingdonmarathon.co.uk. Official photographs available soon at Sussex Sport Photography (thanks for the comment).