Although final results have yet to be ratified, indications are that Havering’s young athletes won the overall event in Sunday’s adidas Mini London Marathon.

The early morning event – held just prior to the main race – contested by some 1600 athletes from the 33 London boroughs, is run over the last 2.65 miles of the main marathon course.

The Havering team has a tremendous record in the event and the Borough’s teams maintained that record in damp conditions on Sunday. Many of the athletes involved are also members of Havering Mayesbrook Athletic Club and their experience of regular competition proved, yet again, to be invaluable.

A maximum of 264 athletes contested each race and pride of place went to the girls' 15/16/17 age group with three Havering athletes in the top ten – Katie Richardson (2^nd), Georgie-Lou Sales (3^rd) and Christina Holland (7^th). Close up came Clare Robinson (16^th), Stephanie De Smidt (Coopers School – 32^nd) and Charlotte Humpheryes (43^rd).

In the girls’ 13/14 age group, Gemma Phillips (Coopers) followed up her success in last year's 11/12 year old event with 3^rd place in the older category followed by Ingrid Deane (5^th), Nicole Raymond (Coopers – 9^th), Jennifer Holland (19^th), Chloe Jolly (71^st), Jade Herbert (75^th), Joanne Hooton (118^th) and Jenna Herbert (151^st).

Eleanor Bounds won a sponsor’s prize for finishing 3^rd in the 11/12 age group, closely followed by Sidnie Sales (4^th), Emma McAuliffe (12^th) and Rebecca O’Neill (13^th). Shannon Sullivan ran strongly for 26^th place with Alexandra Edwards 59^th, Deborah Knight 63^rd and Rebecca Murphy 82^nd.

In the boys’ races, Matthew Bloy (youngest in the age group) took 5^th place in the 15/16/17 category, following his victory in the 13/14 age group last year. Ross Clarke struggled through an injury to finish 13^th with Robert Jones (22^nd), Matthew Watkins (23^rd), Bradley Tungatt (33^rd), Nafi Dilaver (VI Form College – 59^th), Scott Tungatt (82^nd) and Daniel Winters (92^nd).

In the 13/14 age group, the first Havering boy home was Simon Brown in 9^th place ahead of Daniel Shanney (10^th), and John Whitehead (14^th). Then came Michael Jones (21^st), Jamie Buckley-Stanton (22^nd), Thomas Shanney (24^th) and Lenny Swain (38^th).

In this age group, Callum Sutton’s electronic chip unfortunately came adrift prior to the race (meaning that he couldn’t score for the team) but spectators confirmed that he finished just outside the top ten.

In the youngest age group (11/12), Charlie Hazelwood finished a fine 10^th. Other finishers were Ryan O’Mahoney (33^rd), Jack Waldon (38^th), Tyler Bennett (40^th), Daniel Herald (Hall Mead - 41^st), Mitchell English (50^th), Jonathan Seekings (63^rd) and Luke Overton (95^th)

Pic: Tony Benton

Pic: Gary Howard

Pic: Kevin White