The London Marathon was the only show in town for runners - and clubs took full advantage of the party atmosphere.

Fairlands Valley Spartans had two make the top 600, Andrew Patterson finishing 505th of the near 50,000 finishers in a time of two hours 38 minutes 37 seconds while Simon Fraser was 40 places and 33 seconds behind, setting a PB of more than seven minutes in the process.

Yuko Gordon won her age group and came close to a world best for a woman aged 70 plus with 3:28:20 while Jim Brown managed 4:50:05, classed as 'good for age'.

Tanya Brazier took exactly 29 minutes off her PB with 4:10:01 while Fiona Clarke reduced hers by almost nine minutes, taking it to 4:21:00.

Charlotte Brazier (4:30:26), Sam Maidens (4:32:57) and Michael O'Keefe (4:34:10) all ran their first marathon while Mike Jeffs did his second in 3:29:22.

Steven Dobner (4:10:58), Chris Holland (4:44:36), Chloe Chapman (4:51:20) Trudie King (5:15:17), Barry King (5:38:07), Maria Thorne (5:43:41) and Samantha Sutton (7:09:37) were the others.

The Comet: Dawn Power of North Herts Road Runners. Picture: ANNA GIBSONDawn Power of North Herts Road Runners. Picture: ANNA GIBSON (Image: Anna Gibson)

A total of 15 from North Herts Road Runners took on the challenge, many for charity.

Andreea Weisl-Shaw joined the club less than a year ago but completed her first marathon in 4:57:59, raising £11,000 for the Haemophilia Society in memory of her father and for her son, who also has the condition.

Sophie Thrussell was the first Squirrell home in 3:13:22, a PB which also gains her entry into next year's race.

Rhia Botha also set a PB of 3:26:04 while Lucy O'Connor (3:57:45) and Eve Surridge (3:59:17) both broke four hours.

Sue Foot finished in 4:39:37, 39 seconds ahead of team-mate Dawn Power.

The first male from the club was Ben Hadman in a fantastic debut time of 2:32:18.

Matt Sayers clocked 2:38:42, Ben Sewell 2:45:03 and another debutant, Tom Barclay, managed 2:48:48.

Stewart Overton (2:50:45) completed those under three hours with Casey Walker (4:13:37), Dan Mallet (4:13:59) and Alan Hazlehurst (5:25:06) the others from NHRR, the latter finishing despite knee pain for the last seven miles.

The Comet: Stevenage Phoenix had three involved at the 2023 London Marathon. Picture: STEVENAGE PHOENIXStevenage Phoenix had three involved at the 2023 London Marathon. Picture: STEVENAGE PHOENIX (Image: Stevenage Phoenix)

Stevenage Phoenix had a trio involved.

Natalie Liversidge had undergone surgery just a year earlier to remove a cancerous thyroid gland and only resumed running in the autumn.

She came home in 5:49:59 despite cramp after nine miles.

Eleanor Williams was running her second marathon in two weeks after Manchester seven days earlier, finishing in 6:03:33.

And Angela Goodwin was also doubling up in April, Brighton being her first port of call at the start of the month.

She suffered problems with her hip early on but managed to coax her way through to 6:22:58 before entering the ballot for next year.

The Comet: Some of the Stevenage Striders with supporters at the 2023 London Marathon. Picture: STEVENAGE STRIDERSSome of the Stevenage Striders with supporters at the 2023 London Marathon. Picture: STEVENAGE STRIDERS (Image: Stevenage Striders)

Stevenage Striders had six on the start line.

Gaby Bissett smashed her own club record with 3:28:30 while Ashley Harrison (4:49:00) and Mike Astley (4:59:53) dipped under five hours, the latter after a sprint down The Mall.

Lucy Martin went from the club's 0-5k programme last year to 5:18:38 here and Laila Manning clocked 5:58:22.

Jennifer Graham battled Achilles issues to finish in 6:11:06.