EIGHT Biggleswade AC runners are in this year s Flora London Marathon. Sunday s race will see a trio run the event for the first time. Club members Damien Pitts, Kevin White, Zoe Dawson and Ray Dowse have been receiving expert coaching and encouragement f

EIGHT Biggleswade AC runners are in this year's Flora London Marathon.

Sunday's race will see a trio run the event for the first time.

Club members Damien Pitts, Kevin White, Zoe Dawson and Ray Dowse have been receiving expert coaching and encouragement from club coach Steve Worrall, while Mark Peacock has been getting some one-on-one training from experienced club runner, friend and also fellow marathon runner this year, Andy Bruce.

Julie Dowse, who is due to run her second London Marathon, has also been training hard with fellow club members and is in good stead to beat her previous marathon time.

Nine members competed in this year's club championship 10k race at Flitwick.

Clark Skerratt came home first for the club in 68th place overall and a fast time of 39:31.

Karen Worrall headed up the Biggleswade AC women's contingent by coming in 177th place in a superb time of 44:16.

Debbie Bryant and Lindsey Morgan also ran times to make the club proud coming in 298th and 323rd overall, only to be shortly followed by Colin Harries in 361st.

Mark Stead and Sarah Geeson-Orsgood came in next within 25 seconds of each other, both achieving personal best times in the 10k event.

Julie Dowse finished in 595th place in a time of 58:52.

An injured Sam Grist also showed determination by competing in this event, finishing in 59:19.

Club member Jan Forrester showed that you can excel in more than one sport at this year's Ashbourne Duathlon (12k run, 40k bike ride and then a further 4k run).

Her total time for the duathlon was 3-06:08 which made her the second female veteran competitor over the finish line in the 50-54 category.