THREE Dursley Running Club Athletes lined up for the ninth MBNA Chester Marathon.

James Price, running his first marathon, Ben Cardinale and Andrew Kirby.

The conditions were ideal for marathon running with a slight breeze and the temperature just 9oC at the start.

Price, whose training had been seriously dented by work commitments, went out with the 3.15 pace group; but after being tripped during the 4th mile he decided to push in front of the main group to give himself more space. From this position he worked with a small group that started to progressively increase their pace and move their way through the field. At mile 16 Price eased back the pace to ensure that he was able to get back safely he continued strongly, moving through the field. At mile 23 he started to lose a bit of pace when he came to the second to last climb he rallied but then struggled on the climb at mile 25 and wasn’t able to recapture his pace from earlier in the day in the final mile.

Price finished first DRC in a time of 03.13.25, an absolutely brilliant performance given his disrupted training and the fact it was his first ever marathon.

Cardinale, who has a background in long distances triathlon, was hoping for a time in between 3.30 and 3.45, but was concerned as had not had the level of training that she would of liked going into a marathon. She went out strong at 3.30 pace leading from the front, at the half way point she was still feeling strong and felt that she could achieve a sub 3.30 time if she worked hard. She pushed hard and got to the 20-mile mark with the 3.30 time in sight. She was fully aware of how tough the last 10k was going to be but she gritted her teeth and attacked the hill sections with vigour which put her in a fantastic position. Pushing hard over the last mile Cardinale was able to finish in an amazing 03.28.54 Both Price and Cardinale paced their runs very well, with with the latter posting 10K splits of 49:52, 49:25, 48:32 and 49:38, also coming 23rd in her category.

Behind these two Andy Kilby ran a solid race to finish in 04:14.

Results: James Price 03.13:25, 403rd (105th SenM), Ben Cardinale 03.28:54 717th (23rd FV35); Andy Kilby 04.17:41 1879th, 46th MV60.

Mark Sprigings completed the Spartan Windsor Sprint Obstacle Course Race, as a warm up for the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships in two weeks’ time.

He said: "It was great to wear and compete in my United Kingdom top for the first time. Had I not stopped on the final obstacle at the top of a 9ft wall for a photo opportunity and wave to my kids, I would’ve won the event."

Twelve DRC athletes completed the Cardiff Half, with Nick Fennell leading the team home in just under 01:49, with Pete Dunn hard on his heels and Hugh Poppy hard on his.

Liz Fairall was first DRC woman in a smidgen over two hours with training partner Nicki Squire running a big PB behind her.

Rebecca Halford ran her first ever half and said: "This was the biggest challenge that I’ve set myself so far. The pain set in between miles 6-11 and I ache all over. I am so proud to have completed it."

Halford was supported by Cara, Louise and Sam.

Results: Nick Fennell, 01:48:45, 4353rd; Pete Dunn, 01:51:09, 5416th; Hugh Poppy , 01:53:17, 5617th; Lucy Fairall, 02:00:16, 6809th; Nicki Squire , 02:02:03, 7184th;Steve Barnes , 02:26:41, 12745th; Sarah Willcox, 02:31:47, 14211th; Leigh Allen, 02:36:32, 14914th; Katie Reynolds, 02:36:34, 14922nd; Rebecca Halford, 02:48:45, 16642nd; Cara Zoglowek, 02:54:19, 17105th; Sam Stevens 03:11:51, 18,132nd; Louise Beck TBC.