HUNDREDS of runners braved the weather in Marlow today to join in race organisers celebrations at the 25th official half marathon in the town.

This year has also seen the Marlow Striders commemorating their quarter of a century in business, with officials hailing volunteers and members for making the club and race so successful.

Since its inception, thousands have entered the Marlow race and despite the off-putting weather, more than 900 people entered today.

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Co-race director, Blanche Morrissey, said: “This is our biggest event and the race has been long established. As a club we have been involved for a big part of it.

“We are a club that is always well supported by our members and volunteers and there is always a good atmosphere around the place.

“You ask the runners and they will tell you, the marshals and helpers are great, they can make a real difference and help get people of all abilities through the race.

“As this is our 25th year we are glad everything has gone well and we have managed to celebrate with a really good race.”

The rain failed to deter runners at the race, with one athlete excelling in the bleak conditions to claim his third victory in Marlow.

Chiltern Harrier AC runner Eddie O’Gorman was head and shoulders above the rest on and overcame the poor weather conditions to cross the finish line in first place.

With a time of 1:17:20, he failed to beat his winning record from 2010, but it was still enough for him to fairly comfortably breeze through the course and claim his Marlow Half Marathon hat-trick.

After crossing the line, the 41-year-old said: “It was the perfect weather for me out there, I do like running when it is wet like that.

“Towards the end I started to run out of people to help push along. I am quite good on the hills so although it is a bit challenging, this does suit me.

“I didn’t go all out because there is the Chiltern League next weekend and I really want to go on and win that.

“The last couple of years I have struggled a bit, so it was nice to run like that again.”

He added: “The Marlow Striders do a great job and it is always a nice atmosphere. I would recommend it to anyone.”

A familiar face was also crowned this year’s female champion, with IT worker Kay Walsha winning the race for the second successive year.

The Marlow Bottom resident, who is without a running club, only entered her first half marathon seven years ago and finished this race with a time of 1:25:55.

She said: “I am really surprised to win today, I wasn’t really expecting to. The weather was not too bad for it because it didn’t rain throughout the race.

“I really love running. I didn’t come with any hopes of winning, I just turned up on the day to see who else was entering, and gave it a go.”