AMY Chalk admits that the only reason she completed the Virgin London Marathon was that it was quicker to reach the finish by foot than take a short cut on the underground, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

Chalk dropped out at 19 miles only to rejoin the race after taking a breather and considering her options.

“From the start I was feeling hot and bothered and that’s not normally something I suffer from,” said Chalk, who lives in the village of Stanley.

“By five miles I knew I was working too hard and by the time I reached 17 miles my feet were numb and my body felt battered. I plodded on getting slower and slower until 19 miles when I saw Lee (her husband) and I stepped off the course.

“I was then going to catch the Tube with him back to the finish to collect my kit before going home.

“But after taking five minutes to recover I decided it was easier and a lot less hassle to re-join the race and keep going to the finish line under my own steam.

“Also my daughter (Emelia) was looking forward to seeing my London Marathon medal so I got back into the race and struggled to the finish line.”

Chalk’s time of 2hrs 56mins 50secs reflects the pain she suffered, especially after reaching halfway in 1hr 21mins and was well outside her lifetime best of 2:39.27 set on the same course seven years ago.

“I had no great expectations for Sunday’s race but that was a rubbish run,” said Chalk.

“I have no idea why I felt so bad and maybe I am coming down with something. It just wasn’t my day but I have to say that the crowds were immense.

“Maybe it was something to do with the Olympics but in all my times of running London I have never experienced crowds like that before and the atmosphere was terrific.”

Eleven Chippenham Harriers took part in this year’s race, Liz Laid completing the race in 4:10:37, a week after running a personal best of 3:56:18 at the Brighton Marathon.

Caroline Blake ran a personal best of 3:31:47, while recent Harriers recruit James Hutcheson completed the course in 3:56:55.

Hutcheson had serious doubts over whether he would compete after he broke his metatarsal just two days after receiving his entry confirmation last October and spending six weeks on crutches in a fracture boot. He said: “At Buckingham Palace, I wanted to put in an amazing sprint, but I had given everything so raised my arms and tried my best to take in the whole finish experience.’ “By the time I reached the line my legs were gone. I stopped, raised my arms and hobbled my way to collect my well-earned medal.’’

Other Harriers London results: Stuart Leaney 2:28:39; Trevor Batey 2:51:56; Paul Grabowski 3:15:31; Edwina Shirazian 3:33:36; Julian Danton 3:45:41; Steve Palmer 3:52:29; Kate Walters 4:20:30; Rob Warwick 5:56:36 IN THE Virgin London Mini Marathon, Amy Cooper of Marlborough Juniors came 142nd (19:18) in the girls’ race.