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London Marathon runner Tom Payne praises 'surround sound support' of crowd on Tower Bridge

Author: Roger Jackson, Posted: Wednesday, 5th October 2022, 10:00

Tom Payne ran his first London Marathon on Sunday, he set a new PB for the distance and is looking forward to competing in the iconic race again.

The 40-year-old Severn Athletic Club runner completed the 26.2 miles in four hours, 13 minutes, 48 seconds, which was about three minutes better than his previous best.

“I absolutely loved it,” he said. “The support you get is amazing, going over Tower Bridge it was surround sound support.

“There was one bit where I was walking and people were shouting, ‘Come on Tom, you can do it’.

“They were just willing you to finish, it was really, really good.”

And although it was obviously tough, Payne, who was raising money for Versus Arthritis, actually finished with a bit of a flourish.

“I managed a slight sprint at the end,” he said with a laugh, “I think I was just thinking I need to get over the line!”

Payne, who has been running only since 2018 and has been a member of Severn AC for just over a year, had targeted a sub four-hour time on Sunday.

“I realised at mile 18 that four hours wasn’t on because I was feeling tired,” he said.

“Then it was a case of hanging on in there because I could still get a PB.

“I’m gutted that I didn’t run sub four hours but I’m over the moon with a PB.”

Payne is in the ballot for next year’s London Marathon but he said: “Even if I get a place I will probably defer it.

“Next year’s race is in April. That’s a bit soon but absolutely, I’d love to run another London Marathon.”

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London Marathon runner Tom Payne praises 'surround sound support' of crowd on Tower Bridge

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