Thousands once again took on the MK Marathon’s series of races over Bank Holiday weekend

More than 2,000 runners took to the streets of the new city to complete the full MK Marathon on Bank Holiday Monday.

The traditional running of the race started and finished at Stadium MK, with athletes treated to great running conditions for the event.

Eight day after Sabastian Sawe’s remarkable sub-two hour run in London, Luton Athletic Club’s Mohamed Elbayan ran a brilliant 2:25.35 to break the tape first, slicing a massive four minutes and one second from the previous record around the city.

He finished more than six minutes clear of experienced MMKAC runner Steve Tuttle (2:32.11), with St Albans Strider Stephen Buckle (2:32.55) completing the podium.

Gemma Carter (Serpentine RC) was the first female over the line in 2:51.31, which was also good enough for 51st overall. She stood on the top step of the podium, flanked by Garden City Runners’ Emily Owen (2:55.25) and Kate Wells (2.56.33) of Telford Athletic Club.

The Running Hub led the way in the marathon relay, crossing the line in 2:46.50, ahead of LFR2 in 2:54.23 and the first mixed team of The 4 Hubs Men in 2:57.23. The first all-female team, The Running Hub DC’s, came sixth overall in 3:07.15.

Overall, an impressive 2,216 runners crossed the line to complete the 26.2 miles. There was also a huge crowd taking part in the half marathon distance, with 3,293 covering the 13.1 mile course.

The top three men’s runners were separated by just 13 seconds over the line, with Lee Stopford (Stroud & District AC) coming home in 1:08.14, ahead of Ely Runners’ Julian Moynihan (1.08.20) and Nicholas Coyle (1.08.27), also of Stroud and District.

It was a nail-biting finish in the female race, with Ania Gabb, of Dacorum & Tring AC, just pipping Redway Runners’ Penny Canwell over the line, the winner coming home in 1:22.32, a second ahead of her rival. Kayleigh Longfoot of Yaxley Runners, was third in 1:23.56.#

A day prior, on Sunday, the ever-popular Rocket 5k attracted 2,387 athletes of all abilities. A mighty performance from Jamie Prior (Bedford & County AC) saw him cross the line first in 14.59, ahead of Shrewsbury’s Thomas Blunt (15.26) and Royston Runners’ Thomas Combe (15.37).

Gabb did the first part of her double-header by coming home in 17.42 as the first female over the line, beating Ellie Harper of Bedford & County (17.51) and Silson AC’s Izabella Hodgson (18.46).