London Marathon described as a “party the whole way round” says Tower Hamlets runner

Simeon Bennett, 37, during the marathon showing the love for his team (Image: Archant)

Participants from across the borough pounded the streets on Sunday encouraged by thousands of cheering onlookers who turned up to show their support.

An estimated 36,000 people took part in Sunday’s race which was the 34th Marathon to take place in London.

Youth engagement worker Mel Mc Clure ran her sixth London Marathon on Sunday and was happy to beat her target time of four hours.

Completing the race in 3:54:37, Mel, from Medway Road, Bow, said she had a great day and achieved her time by running tactically.

“I had to speed up a lot in the second half but it was just so packed so I had to fight my way through quite a bit,” she said.

“The weather was lovely and the support was fabulous. I’m quite happy with how it all went.”

Runners raced through Tower Hamlets as part of their route and crossed the iconic Tower Bridge when they reached the half-way point.

Blue skies and brilliant sunshine provided little relief for those who were feeling the heat and water bottles were dished out by volunteers along the way.

Captain for road and cross-country runners at Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets Athletics Club, Simeon Bennett, blitzed the race in 2 hours 50 minutes.

He said it was a “cracking” day helped by the weather and the race was like a party the whole way round.

He added: “The support from people who know our club was great, people who didn’t necessarily even know us where rooting for us just because we were wearing our clubs colours.”