NIGEL Marley cruised to victory in the Blackpool Marathon and now has a personal best at London in his sights.

The 29-year-old, from Bicester, crossed the line in 2hrs 42mins 3secs, two and a half minutes clear of second place.

Marley was “very happy” at his first win over the 26.2-mile distance, which came in his third marathon of 2012.

“There was a group of four or five of us for the first nine miles,” said Marley, who was running for first-claim club Coventry Godiva Harriers.

“Unfortunately I needed the toilet again and had to dash off.

“I caught the leader at 14 miles and led all the way home.”

Second-claim Alchester athlete Marley had already finished second in the Gloucester and Cotswold marathons this year.

But these and the Blackpool race are part of his regime to break the 2.30-barrier in the London Marathon on April 22.

Marley, whose best time is 2.31.08, said: “It was a training run and I have a niggling groin strain, but that was fine during the race.

“I find it easier to race than I do to train.

“I would be going for a 20-plus mile run anyway, so why not race?”

Marley still has a busy schedule before April 22, which includes the Winslow Half Marathon, plus the Midlands and National 12-stage road relays.

“This will be my first weekend off this year,” said Marley. “The Blackpool Marathon was my 12th race of 2012.

“If the groin is OK, I shouldn’t be far off my 2.30 target at London, but we’ll have to see.

“It would be nice to be the first Oxfordshire man home as well, but there are lot of good local runners doing it.”

OTHER RESULTS

(senior men unless stated)

SILVERSTONE HALF MARATHON

Witney Road Runners: D Swann 1.22.59, C Colbeck (V40) 1.45.03, H Chapman (SL) 1.55.03.

BATH HALF MARATHON

Oxford City: R Webster (V45) 1.20.54, D Parsons (V65) 1.29.13.

Witney Road Runners: F Snare 1.29.49, M Harris 1.38.04.

Abingdon Amblers: N O’Doherty 1.23.36, N Hamilton 1.28.55, M Piper 2.18.11.

FINCHLEY 20

Woodstock Harriers: M Townsend (V50) 2.22.55.

CROOKHAM COMMON THROWS

White Horse Harriers: R Jegou (V65) - Shot 9.88m. Discus: 31.18m. Hammer: 27.99m.