MARGARET Britton achieved a personal-best time and broke the four-hour mark when she led the Airecentre Pacers cohort home in the Chester Marathon.

Crossing the line in 3hr 58min 29sec, Margaret was sixth in her category and, despite losing a few toenails en route, was really pleased with her time.

Sarah Podesta and Carole Keighley also competed over the 26.2-mile distance, coming home in 04.41.43 and 04.59.08 respectively.

Despite a decent time, Sarah said: “You know you haven't had your best race day when you are overtaken by a pantomime horse.”

Ed Podesta ran the second of the Chester events, the Metric marathon, in a time of 02:43:11.

Graeme Cowling was the second Pacer last weekend to run a sub four-hour marathon when he achieved 03.52.27 in the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon.

John Tate was second Pacer home in 04.14.20, ahead of Ben Keohane 04.25.25, Jenny Mynett 04.26.41 and Michael Buckle 04.32.16.

Tess Tesseyman ran the beautiful Kielder Marathon in 04.50.45.

In the Plusnet Yorkshire Ten-Mile race, Mohammed Abubakr was first Pacer to cross the line in 01.10.07 and was 151st overall.

Others Pacers placings: Donna Stansfield 01.40.25, Carly Dykes 01.41.57, Angela Hopps 01.43.59, Jenna Hawkswell 01.45.17, Clare Hunter 01.45.17, Denis Callaghan 01.45.19, Cora Dove 01.55.07, Mel Brabiner 01.58.09, Fiona Yeadon 02.10.21.

Andrew Humphries was agonisingly close to a podium finish in the Bramley 10k, coming fourth overall with a great time of 38.39.

In the picturesque Keilder 10k, Nick Ford was first Pacer home in 57.03, and was followed by Suzanne McKay 01.06.24, Dave Cook 01.15.29 and Liz Cook 01.15.30.

Chris Larkins waded round the sodden Woodentop Withins Skyline Fell Race in 59 minutes.