HOAD Hill Harriers' long-distance runners have been pounding the streets at home and abroad in a number of marathons – culminating in the Brathay Windermere Marathon on Sunday.

The club's regular marathon runners have produced some stellar times, with the first races contested in Manchester and Palma.

At the Manchester Marathon, Joanne McCleod made up for her disappointment of missing out on the London Marathon ballot by racing to finish as 10th FV50 in a time of 3.42.27.

McCleod’s worries of a ballot place for next year’s London Marathon are now put aside as this personal best will enable her to secure a ‘Good for Age’ seeding in the race.

New to marathon running, the ever-improving Phil Horrocks found Manchester to his liking. The MV50 had a fantastic debut at the distance, finishing in 3.22.08.

In Palma, it was hot and humid – just what Penny Moreton had been hoping for as-warm weather preparation for the hotter temperatures in this weekend's Comrades Marathon in South Africa.

As temperatures reached 26C pacing was important and, over the four-lap course, which passed the majestic cathedral, Moreton secured the third FV55 prize and knocked 22 minutes off her previous best time to finish in 4.56.08.

At the Virgin London Marathon, Gary Dover was out to cap a tremendous run of form, having pushed the pace in many of the spring half-marathon distances at Keswick, Dent and Coniston.

The elusive sub three-hour mark was the target, and Dover had his best marathon run yet, giving everything as he came home exhausted but not disappointed in a PB of 3.00.26.

Club-mates Paul Caine and Parish Minton were running their first marathons. Caine pushed his pace and, despite fading slightly over the closing miles, ran a creditable 3.48.15.

Minton enjoyed the atmosphere of the big day in the city and clocked sub-10 minute miles to finish in 4.19.37.

The final marathon of the spring for the club members was the Brathay Windermere Marathon.

Dover recovered well from London and, on a hot and thoroughly tough course, finished 22nd, and third MV50 in 3.13.19.

Sharon Dixon returned to the course after a gap of a few years and put her experience to the test. She was rewarded with third FV45 and 42nd place overall in 3.26.32.

Ken Lamb used the race as preparation for his forthcoming Lakesman Ironman Triathlon and came home in 103rd, clocking 3.47.12.

Karl Fursey, from Black Combe Runners /Hoad Hill, forfeited a better time by taking the opportunity to guide blind runner Paul Watts from the 100 Marathon Club, who was doing his 298th marathon run.

Jubilant, they both crossed the line in 5.43.41.

In the Brathay Windermere Half-marathon, a great result over the new course were recorded by David Fulford, who was fourth in 1.24.22, with the winner David Mulee, of Herne Hill, only a minute quicker in 1.23.23.

Mike Cubin was seventh in 1.29.29,Phil Horrocks (MV50) 29th in 1.37.13, Andrew McDonald (MV45) 77th in 1.48.25 and Karl Allerton (MV40) 231st 2.08.42.

Penny Moreton can be sponsored for her Comrades Marathon at www.justgiving.com/penny-moreton. She is raising money for the Brathay Trust, who work with disadvantaged young people.