SIMON HART and Debbie Appleton both broke their own Havering Mayersbrook veterans records in Sunday's London Marathon. Hart, just a few days shy of his 49th birthday, finished the event in a time of two hours, 42 minutes, nine seconds, almost two minutes better than his previous best. Appleton finished in 2:48.38, a minute faster than last year, and came second in the W40 age group and 11th in the non-elite race.
Newcomer Joe Perry finished in 3:15.29, while marathon debutant Megan Foley completed the course in a fine 3:24.41.
Also pounding the streets were Tony Collins who beat the four-hour barrier with 3:57.53, Dave Evans who clocked 4:11.48 to improve his best by 12 minutes, Angie Thompson who was on pace for a sub 3:50 clocking before cramp slowed her to 4:26.58, and club coach Gary O'Neill who came home in 4:56.34.
Also on Sunday, Lydia Hallam added her name to the club's roll of honour when she won the U17 Girls' race in the London Boroughs' Mini Marathon, ahead of Croydon's Sophie Foreman.
Elsewhere, despite some promising individual results, the men's and women's southern league squads were pushed into last place in their opening Division One fixture at Lee Valley on Saturday.
The men had seven individual wins, three A string and four B string.
George Hadler got the squad off to a flying start on the track by comfortably winning the 400m hurdles. Josh Olawore found victory in the long jump, Ed Thompson won the pole vault and his B string partner Phil Groombridge took honours too.
Sam Harrison had his best season's opener for several years to win the B javelin, while Jake Nelson took full points in the B triple jump.
Points were harder to come by on the track, but Ian Anthony ran well for a B 5000m win, just behind Matt Bland, who claimed third in the A.
Hurdler Robbie Clarricoats concentrated on the track and came third in 400m with Massi Dendani second in the B.
The ladies team had to settle for five wins against strong opposition. Louise Lockwood took the A in a new career best for javelin.
U17 discus throwers Georgie Taylor and Rachel Forder once again won both A and B.
Georgie improved her 400m best and scored shot points. Chenice Constable marked her league debut with a high jump B victory and scored well in other events. Gemma Phillips sliced five seconds off her 3,000m best placing second, and Mercy Gutteridge won another second place in the pole vault.
Flic Clarke returned to form with second places in both hurdles events and added 200m points and contested both relays.
Claire Brennan was third in both hurdles A strings.
Katie O'Sullivan improved her 400m best and was third in the high jump, and there were third places for Ellie Watson and Emma Christmas in the B string triple jump and hammer.