Priest leads Guernsey runners home

Monday 02 December 2024

Guernsey's James Priest has run his marathon debut in Valencia - crossing the finishing line in 2.29:45.

Having previously represented the island over shorter distances including the half marathon and 10,000m, Priest again impressed his coach Lee Merrien with his performance yesterday.

"...after a fast early pace having gone through halfway in 71.56, he rallied well over the closing stages despite a calf issue and dipped under the two and half hour mark," wrote Merrien.

Other Guernsey runners included Nick Mann; crossing the line in 2.52:57, Chantelle Frazier; finishing in 3.14:17, Nick Dunn; running home in 3.17:57, and Mick Adkins in 3.51: 05.

Expat Kris Allen also ran under the Guernsey flag - completing the course in 2.40:32.

Merrien described his finish time as "yet another sizable PB" after his training regime saw him go "from strength to strength" this year.

"...making this his fourth marathon PB in row and 12mins of his best from Hannover earlier in year," wrote Merrien.

"Another making big gains in his first marathon for over 6 years was Nick Dunn who took a whopping 38mins of his PB from 2018 best. Well done also Nick Mann, Chantelle Frazier & Mick Adkins."

The Valencia Marathon was won by Kenyan Sabastian Kimaru Sawe who crossed the finish line in 2.02:05.

The leading woman was Ethiopian Megertu ALEMU who finished in 2.16:49.

The full results can be read HERE.

Pictured top: File image of James Priest competing in Guernsey.