PONT-Y-PWL & District Runners’ members did the club proud at the Virgin London Marathon last weekend, with excellent performances throughout the nine-athlete team.

Steve Davies, Iestyn Rhodes and Keith Langley had qualified for ‘good for age’ places after running fast enough marathons before Sunday’s event – and all three showed their class with great races.

Davies led the team home in 2 hours 57.55 minutes while Rhodes ran a perfectly judged race to nail his 2:59 target with a time of 2:59.01.

Langley completed the 26.2-mile course in an impressive 3:38.12.

Rhodes said: “I was really pleased with my run as I ran an even pace throughout and hit my target of 2:59.

“I’m now looking forward to shifting my focus to swimming and cycling to prepare for the Ironman race in Tenby in September, working with the running club’s partner organisation, Torfaen Triathlon Club.”

Nicola Smith and Dave Timson were the recipients of the two club places, and both ran extremely well, exceeding their targets and expectations.

Timson finished in 3:55.09 while Smith, running in her debut marathon at the age of 50, ran a fantastic time of 3:58.45, ensuring she has a place as a ‘good for age’ runner in 2017.

Smith said: “What an amazing experience! I didn’t stop smiling all the way round.

“I have been watching the London marathon on television since it started and always said I would do it one day.

“It was my first marathon at the age of 50, so you should never give up on your dreams, but work to make them a reality.

“I have to thank Pont-y-pwl & District Runners who have given me so much support – it’s an amazing club to be part of.”

Sarah Coote, Becca Gledhill and Jonathan Knight also completed their debut marathons in times of 4:22.54, 4:22.22 and 4:08.08 respectively.

Louise Bright ran an excellent 4:29.33 just six months after having her first child.

Like many of the 38,000 field, Gledhill and Knight were taking on the challenge to raise money for charity, in their cases for Shelter and St David’s Hospice Care.