Junior athletes race to best-ever marathon finish

5.45.20pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 14th May 2007

Young runners powered Richmond upon Thames to third place in the London Mini Marathon - the borough's best-ever finish in the event held on the same day as the London Marathon spectacular.

A team of 47 talented young people competed against runners from all 33 London boroughs. Youngsters in the 11-12 year old age range provided the day's best result with the girls finishing first overall while the boys claimed third place. There were also some outstanding individual performances. Katie Iliffe finished eighth in the 11-12 year group, Kate Brown came 10th in the 15-17 group, and Joss Moran also came 10th in the boys age 11-12 category. The Council's Sports Development Team picked the runners during trials last month and arranged their transport and entry into the race.

Cllr John Coombs, Cabinet Member for Sport on Richmond Council, said:

"Congratulations to everyone who took part. There were a number of fine individual performances but to come third overall - our highest ever finish - was the icing on the cake. The Council is committed to giving all our youngsters the opportunity to take part in competitive sport and with an eye on the 2012 Olympics, we will continue to give our best young athletes all the support they need to develop their talents. Our Sports Development Team picked the runners during trials last month and arranged their transport and entry into the race."