SEASONED runner Nick Harrison, from Launceston, took on this year’s London Marathon for the first time and said although it proved to be tough he had an ‘absolutely fantastic day’.

Nick crossed the finish line in an impressive 4:45:01.

Nick said: “It was a tough race but an absolutely fabulous day. I was very impressed with how well organised it was.”

He said the warm weather slowed everyone down and it made many think twice about whether their target times were achievable.

“It was quite warm, the heat really slowed everyone down. I think we all had a time in our heads we wanted to achieve but had to readjust it as for many of us it wasn’t possible in those conditions. I think just to complete it for me was the best achievement — it is great to just be able to say ‘I have done it’!”

Nick is a member of the Launceston Road Runners and has been running for around three to four years, however, this was Nick’s first attempt at the London Marathon.

He said he has completed a few half marathons in the past and completed the Cornish Marathon in November but the atmosphere of this latest race was ‘something else’.

One of the biggest motivators for many on the day was the support of the crowd.

Nick said: “It was great, the crowds were really fantastic, they were just cheering all the time and it is a wonderful feeling to have their support as you go along.

“I was also able to meet up with some of the other Launceston Road Runners before and after the race. There is a really good team spirit between the group and it was nice to be able to support each other.”

Nick chose to use his run to support Spinal Research.

He said: “It was a big motivation to finish actually. They are a charity I have worked with before. My wife and I took on ‘RideLondon’ in support of the charity and I was pleased to support them again, they are very much a deserving cause.”

Nick has raised over £1,500 for the charity. He said: “I can’t thank people enough for being so generous and supportive through this and helping raise this money for the charity.”

There is still time to donate visit Nick’s JustGiving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nick-harrison14