GRANGE Farm and Dunmow Runners (GFDR) star Alistair Brown broke the three-hour barrier in the Halstead and Essex Marathon on Sunday.

Dunmow Broadcast: Natalie Herbert running well at 24 milesNatalie Herbert running well at 24 miles (Image: Archant)

The finished 12th the 26.2-mile course in an impressive 2hrs 59mins 55secs.

More than 500 runners – including two pulling an Aga stove – took part in the race. The two-lap course was along quiet country lanes to the north of the town. The event started with a one minute’s silence in remembrance of the victims of the bombings at the recent Boston Marathon.

The race was won by Denys Olefir of Newmarket Joggers in 2hrs 43mins 27secs.

David Andrews was second for GFDR in 3hrs 33mins, followed by Geoff Maidment (3hrs 40mins) and Ashwin Shah (3hrs 44mins).

John Smith (4hrs) and Nigel Richardson (4hrs 7mins) both improved on their times in last month’s London Marathon, by 18 and nine minutes, respectively.

Natalie Herbert, running her first marathon, recorded an impressive time of 4hrs 6mins.

GFDR will be holding the Great Easton 5 mile road race on June 9, the Crusader 8 mile trail race on June 30 and the Felsted 10km road race on July 14 – see the club’s website grangefarmdunmowrunners.co.uk for details.