World Champ qualifier runs 10th marathon

GRAHAM CROSSES FINISHING LINE AT EDEN PROJECT

A SEASONED marathon runner from Plymouth crossed the Eden Marathon finish line in third place on Sunday – on his way to the world championship in Australia.

Graham Bale, 58, who runs with Plymstock Road Runners, crossed the line in third place – despite giving up 20 years on his rivals – in a time of three hours, two minutes and nine seconds.

Graham used the multi-terrain course, which ends in front of Eden’s famous Biomes, as a training run ahead of competing in the Abbott World Marathon Majors (Abbott WMM) Wanda Age Group World Championship 2024, which is being held in Sydney.

Graham said: “This is my first semitrail marathon. I’ve done eight marathons in London and one in Manchester, so this is my tenth. I did London earlier this year – that was my fastest time. I thought I’ll just do another one to keep the fitness going.”