Steve Littler Lifts Edinburgh Prize

24 MAY2010

36 year old Lancashire joiner, Steve Littler won yesterday's Edinburgh Marathon in a dramatic finish catching long-time leader Phil Hinch on the home straight. At one stage Hinch had a two minute lead but he faltered over the last two miles as the heat took its toll and he suffered from cramp.

The early arrival of summer was a mixed blessing at yesterday's Edinburgh Marathon festival. For spectators along the route and at the Musselburgh race course finish, and for post-race relaxation the warm weather was ideal. However the high temperatures made further demands of runners already facing the challenge of the classic 26.2 mile distance.

Tipton Harrier Hinch went through the 23 mile mark on 2:06 minutes on target for a 2:23 time however he soon fell victim to cramp and had to stop to recover. The last few miles where torture for the Grimsby man as his lead dwindled, and he was caught close home by Wesham Road Runner Littler (2:26:31).

Bristol's Dave Bird took third place and fellow veteran Sarah Gee (2:38) won the woman's prize just four weeks after a big show at the Virgin London Marathon. Perth Road Runners won the Hairy Haggis Relay event ahead of Tricky Mix.

23,000 plus took part in the full marathon, the Scottish Half Marathon and the Hairy Haggis Relay Race. 5,000 runners contested the first-ever Scottish Half Marathon and the 8.00am start time meant slightly cooler conditions. 298 charities benefitted from the fund-raising efforts of Marathon festival runners to the tune of approximately £3.5m and there was a huge turn-out for good causes like Alzheimer Scotland, British Heart Foundation, MS Society and Macmillan.

For race organisers GSI Events, marathon day is a huge logistical challenge involving a race crew team of 1,000. Roads are closed; runners are directed through towns along the East Lothian coast; regular drinks stations have to be stocked and manned; and there is a major operation at the Musselburgh race course finish. It is estimated that 150,000 bottles of Stathmore water and 70,000 bottles of Lucozade Sport are consumed during the event.

There was a great turn-out of runners from the north of England with the vests of Kirkstall Harriers, Maltby RC, Cumberland AC and Southport Waterloo AC. Sunderland Stroller James Hubbard enjoyed his trip to Edinburgh and his first marathon. He told NORTHERN RUNNING GUIDE:

"Although I'd trained hard over the winter, I found conditions tough and I've never been so happy as when I saw the finish straight. I downed quite a few gels and bottles of Lucozade Sport over the final few miles. Still it's been a great experience; I've been really impressed by the event organisation and I've collected a few points in the club championship."

In the Scottish Half Marathon, which took place earlier in the day, British internationalist David Webb of Leeds AC lived up to his billing as pre-race favourite, winning in a time of 1:04:45. "I'm very pleased with that result. This was part of my preparations for the European Championships Marathon in Barcelona in August. That was a new personal best, so it's a good way to start the heavy mileage for the marathon over the next couple of months," he said. Last year's Edinburgh Marathon winner Martin Williams (Tipton Harriers) finished second in the half marathon in 1:06:24.

An 'super-hero' of the year? Has to be Batman - your reporter spotted half a dozen all doing considerable justice to the Caped Crusader.