FORMER Lymm High School student Amy Whitehead (nee Waterlow) was the first British woman home in Sunday’s Virgin London Marathon.

Finishing 13th in the elite women’s race, Whitehead’s run of 2hrs 34mins 19secs ticked a box for Commonwealth Games qualification.

Houghton Green’s Louise Blizzard, 38, tackled her 20th marathon and was first home for her Belgrave Harriers team, finishing 57th in the elite women’s race in 2hrs 58mins 42secs.

She said: “It was emotional crossing the line. My three-year-old son Alfie asked if I was going to win, and said I should run it again if I didn't!”

Her preparation included clocking 1hr 21mins in the Wilmslow Half Marathon.

She also raised more than £500 for St Rocco’s Hospice.

Five Warrington Athletics Club runners were involved, four of them representing the North West in the British Athletics Road Race Championships held in conjunction with the mini marathon over the final three miles of the course.

In the under 17s races Harriet Knowles-Jones was second behind national cross country champion Lydia Turner in 16mins 20secs, while Daniel Evans was ninth in 14mins 43secs and Liam Burthem 28th in 15mins 5secs.

Sam Evans came 21st in the under 13s boys’ race in 17mins 4secs.

In the marathon Steve Watmough finished 804th overall, with 2hrs 54mins 11secs placing him 23rd in the over 50s age group.

Robert Hough, a member of Spectrum Striders Running Club, completed the course in a new personal best 2hrs 45mins 14secs.