Seventy-seven runners lined up for the start of the Somerset Levels and Moors Marathon, writes Dave Mutter.

The sole AVR representative was Steve Retro Reynolds unusually running without his side kick Geoff Woodward.

Retro had been talked into doing a 100 mile cycle with the Axe Valley Peddlers by Geoff on the previous Sunday.

“You’ll be all right if you do a couple of short runs in the week,” said the dastardly Geoff!

Retro was going well until about 12 miles when the cycle legs started to take their toll. Also the sun came out making it rather warm. He thought he was seeing things at 24 miles when he saw a fellow chubby chap in an AVR vest up ahead. It was Gavin Warren who was competing in the Half Marathon which started two hours after the Marathon!

Gavin waited for Retro at the top of the last tortuous hill and they crossed the line together. Retro finished 43rd in 4:37:36 with Gavin finishing the Half in 18th spot taking 2:37. Congratulations to Langport runners on a well organised and well-priced event.