Nicky Martyn was again Highgate Harriers' leading competitor in the Flora London Marathon on Sunday - writes Pat Mooney. Martyn, last year's top veteran, was second over-40 vet in the race this year in a time of 2hrs 27mins 11secs. He was only beaten by Darren Bilton of

Nicky Martyn was again Highgate Harriers' leading competitor in the Flora London Marathon on Sunday.

Martyn, last year's top veteran, was second over-40 vet in the race this year in a time of 2hrs 27mins 11secs. He was only beaten by Darren Bilton of Leeds City by 2mins 11secs.

Martyn finished 24th overall out of the field of around 30,000 starters in extremely hot conditions.

Two other Harriers finished inside the top 200. Guillaume Cribier (2hrs 38mins 14secs) was 102nd, while Jeremy Rogers (2hrs 42mins 24secs) was 176th.

They were followed home by Daniel Higgins (2hrs 44mins 43secs), 222nd, Damien Shirley (2hrs 54mins 41secs) 528th, Andrew Collinge (2hrs 56mins 59secs) 634th, John Griffin (3hrs 02mins 09secs) 946th, Jose Barretta (3hrs 07mins 45secs) 1,265th, Kevin Linehan (3hrs 10mins 00secs) 1,440th, John O'Shea (3hrs 13mins 57secs) 1,738th and Stephen Carlisle (3hrs 35mins 17secs) 3,900th.

Two amazing runners who were competing in their 26th consecutive London marathons were Roger Low, as an over 60-year-old who posted 3hrs 38mins 33secs, and Reginald Burbidge, who was the the fifth over-80 runner in 6hrs 53mins 27secs.

Margaret Lazell (3hrs 13mins 28secs) was the first Highgate woman in 160th place.

Other Highgate women well up the field were Joanna Carritt (3hrs 13mins 51secs), Fiona Maguire (3hrs 53mins 27secs) and Rebecca Tunstall (4hrs 14mins 18secs).

Meanwhile, in the mini marathon, Samara Williams was the star for Camden, finishing third in the girls 11-12 race in a time of 16mins 22secs.

Anna Clarke-Janssen ran well in the 15-17 age group to come 12th in a time of 16mins 44secs for the 2.65mile course.

She beat team-mates Emily Bull (18mins 45secs) 63rd, Fahey Amber (19mins 12secs) 76th and Nina Sorensen (19mins 33secs) 88th.

Amy-Jane Cotter was 49th in the 13-14 age-group in a time of 18mins 15secs.

Cotter beat off stiff competition from a number of other Camden runners in her category including Lottie Sorbie (19mins 35secs) when she came 95th.

In the boys competition, an outstanding run from 12-year-old Raymond Vangiladio gave him sixth place in the 11-12 age-group (15mins 45secs).

His closest Camden rival was Maximilian McGee (16mins 57secs).

Jacob Jeal was the best placed Camden runner in the 13-14 event, coming 98th (16mins 53secs).

In the boys 15-17 age category, Lawrence Matthewman came 23rd (14mins 19secs). Will Laing, 15, was not far behind in 14mins 53secs, coming 46th.

Tomorrow, Highgate Harriers compete in the Inter-Borough Club Challenge at Copthall Stadium.

Then on May 5, Harriers open their their Southern League division one season at Parliament Hill Fields.

editorial@hamhigh.co.uk