Banbury Harrier Simon Pritchard produced his best-ever finish in the country's largest and most prestigious road race, the Flora London Marathon, on Sunday by coming home in 85th place from a field of 30,000.

Pritchard, one of Oxfordshire's leading runners and county champion at both ten miles and half-marathon distance, was taking part in his third London Marathon.

Simon Pritchard came 85th out of 30,000 in the London Marathon

Although he was 23 seconds below his personal best, his finish was a marked improvement on his 125th placing a year ago.

There were also excellent runs from Oxford City's Nic Russell, who came home in 149th place in 2.39.51, and from Bob Wells, who lives in Cumnor and is a member of Road Runners Club.

Wells, 55, had competed in the Boston Marathon on Easter Monday and ran 2.48, so to follow up with a London Marathon time of below three hours (2.58.43) just six days later was outstanding.

White Horse Harrier Lisa Godding-Feltham produced an excellent time of 3.02.30 to come home in 57th place in the ladies' race.

Fellow Harrier Vic Pocock, an over 65 veteran, also did well to come home in well under four hours.

Mike Baillie was the first Witney Roadrunner home in 2.48.54, knocking six minutes off last year's time. There were also personal bests for Andy Donaldson and Dave Candlin.

Weather conditions on the day proved favourable with dry, cool temperatures, although a blustery wind upset the rhythm of the competitors in the more exposed parts of the course.

As always, the race attracted competitors from all over the world, keen to experience the special atmosphere generated by the event and to view the historic sites situated along the 26.2-mile route.

There was a contingent of five Bicester AC runners in the field and they experienced a day of mixed fortunes.

Their most consistently successful road runner of recent years, Rodger McCarroll, was expected to lead home the five-strong contingent and his training performances suggested a strong show in this year's race.

However, disaster struck at the two-mile point when McCarroll's quadriceps gave way, forcing him out of the race.

The four remaining Bicester runners were led home by Over 50 veteran Mike Allen in 3.26.

Graham Pickup produced his best marathon effort in Bicester colours in what he says was his last attempt at the classic distance, finishing in a commendable 3.29.

Veteran athlete Pete Chivers was Alchester's first runner home. Taking only 20 seconds to cross the start line, he set off in determined mood to maintain a steady pace for as long as possible.

Reaching the halfway point in slightly less than an hour and a half, he looked set for a good time, but he began to fade at the 18-mile mark and failed to sustain the early promise. A desperate last few miles saw him home in a disappointing 3.17.36.

*Kidlington Running and Athletic Club's Bob Hayler, a Vet 60, completed the Boston Marathon in a time of 3hrs 58mins.