PHIL Perry is no newcomer to long races, having run 16 marathons and two ultras in 2017 in aid of Julia’s House charity, writes DI CROSS.

Last weekend, the City of Salisbury Athletics & Running Club member headed Thameside to tackle the Phoenix Marathons.

He completed all three of the races, finishing fourth overall in Friday’s marathon from Nonsuch Park Sutton in 3:48:20, followed by tenth in Saturday’s at Walton-on-Thames in 4:20:27 and then on Sunday’s at Walton-on-Thames, in 4:17:39 to take 12th.

From Walton-on-Thames to Walton-on-Trent, where another of the club’s long-distance specialists, Craig Weatherburn, took part in the 24-hour Conti Thunder Run relay event. Competing as a solo runner, he completed five laps of the 10k course at Catton Park in 6:45:14.

There was a river of the club’s blue at Frome Half Marathon and 10k, which were run over a hilly course around the beautiful Somerset town. Jaymee Domoney, on his half marathon debut, took third place in 1:12:39.

Behind Domoney were Clive Smith, who finished in 58th place in 1:34:48; Nick Hudson, 1:40:09; Kate Mansfield, 1:48:17, 23rd woman; John Roberts, 1:48:58; and Tom Lay, 2:37:50;

In the 10k event, Ali Theobald finished in 1:01:34 to win her age category, FV70. And Jason Bennett crossed the line in 44:57, finishing in 30th place overall and 4th MV40.

Athletics captain Alex Mundell took second in the BMC 800m women’s C Race at Eltham in 2:12:43.