Scorching day for marathon runners

May 27 2012

Tens of thousands of runners have braved warm temperatures to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon.

Organisers said that 23,000 people competed in the event around the streets of the capital.

Runners set off just before 10am in 15C conditions, however by 2pm temperatures had risen to 21C, according to MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association.

The competitors included 101-year-old Fauja Singh, said to be the world's oldest marathon runner, who as part of a four-man relay race, Sikhs in the City, crossed the line in five hours and 23 seconds.

He said: "I love Edinburgh and I love this race. If I am still here next year then I will come back to run it again. Running five or 10 miles a day is what keeps me alive."

The first man to finish was Kenyan John Mutai, who completed the race in two hours, 19 minutes and 52 seconds, claiming back the title which he also won in 2004.

Natalia Lehonkova, 29, from the Ukraine was the first woman home, completing the course in 2:39:48.

The first Scottish woman home, Hayley Haining, reached the finish in 2:45:17. It was the 40-year-old's first marathon since the birth of her one-year-old son, Elliott, who was there to greet her at the finish line.

She said: "There were so many people out there on the streets today and it was a wonderful feeling to be cheered on by so many.

"It was tough out there at times and I ran a little slower than I'd hoped to run but it's great to get so much support out there. I'm loving being a mum so it's wonderful to get a hug from my son on the finish line."