Athletics Taylor thrilled with personal best run as B&W trio shine in Valencia Marathon

KURT

- Kevin FAHEY

The Bristol & West AC Under-13 and Under-11 Gwent League boys squads

Taylor moved up to third on the Bristol & West AC club All-Time Rankings after smashing his personal best in the Valencia marathon last weekend.In only his third serious marathon, Taylor finished in 2hrs 15mins 53secs to slash 4mins 17secs off his previous PB, set in the London event earlier this year.

It is the third quickest time in the club's long, illustrious history behind Ray Crabb (2:13.15, London 1983) and Pete Le Grice (2:14.45, Malaga 2024) and now ahead of GB marathon international Wayne Buxton (2:16.38, Rotterdam 1991).

Not even the club's legendary Olympian 10,000m runner Nick Rose ran that fast over the distance as he never broke 2:20 as he flirted with the event in the very late stages of his career when already a veteran.

"I knew going into the race that I was capable of a 2:16 but did not expect 2:15, so I am very happy with that," said Taylor.

"I raced it perfectly. I got into a big group until 10k and then latched on to another Brit (Matt Clowes) until 20k when he dropped off.

"I reached halfway in 68mins 15secs and from then on, while I was largely running on my own, I picked off people all the time.