Great conditions saw four Blackheath and Bromley athletes putting in good performances at the Valencia Marathon at the weekend with Scott Overall on pacing duties helping Bojana Bjeljac to a new Croatian National record and Giovanna Epis to the third fastest time in history by an Italian women, both of whom gained world championship qualifying times.

Of the members competing Blair Wilson came in first in 2:38:58 securing his London Championship place after messing up his pacing at London by 90 seconds. The cost for this mistake is around £11 per second, having to go to Spain to get the job done.

Fintan Parkinson, agonisingly close after experiencing serious cramps in the last mile came home with a great time of 2:40:58, not what he wanted but in great shape and plenty of marathons next year to provide Fintan with sub elite qualifying opportunities.

Paul Sharpe just making the start after some bag drop issues recorded 3:00:09 to round off the trio, all finishing quite close to each other, again so close to that sub three but a great run nonetheless.

Beers and tapas followed before some recovery and back to the winter men’s season.

Up The Heath!