WILL Hawking fully deserved his tub of celebratory ice cream after successfully completing his first London Marathon.

The 49-year-old founder and managing director of Marshfield Farm Ice Cream Limited survived the 26.2 miles ordeal in a highly respectable time of 3hrs 19mins 33secs.

That was more or less spot on what he was expected to run after improving his personal best to 1:29.23 in the Bath half marathon last month so Hawking was delighted with his day out in the capital.

“I ran pretty equal splits and it was a very fair reflection of my level of fitness at the moment,” said Hawking.

“The pace was about 7.30 minute miling and up to about 21 miles that was actually super easy; in fact I probably got ahead of that pace.

“After 21 miles, it not so easy! It was a bit painful and quite slow, but nothing desperate.”

And nothing so desperate that Hawking finished the race vowing ‘never again’! Indeed, he is already looking to the future and plotting to improve his time.

“The London Marathon is an amazing experience to be involved in,” added Hawking.

“The volume of people lining the streets is really incredible; the noise on London Bridge is the closest I will ever get to a rock star reception!

“I had a fantastic time and would recommend it to anyone. If my wife will give me the time to train for it, I would certainly do it again and next time I would do more longer runs to help carry me through the last four or five miles.

“I reckon I’ve got a sub 3.15 in me another day.”

Further up the course the honour of finishing fastest man in Wiltshire went to City of Salisbury athlete Stuart Holloway with a PB of 2:38.31.

Second best was a terrific effort by over 50 veteran Robin Mark Schols. The Avon Valley Runners’ athlete carved almost eight minutes off his lifetime best with 2:53.21 which gave him 37th place in his age group.

Third quickest Wiltshire man was Nathan Smith of Devizes Running Club as he improved his PB to 2:57.58 in only his second marathon

Quickest county woman was Samantha Kelly of Wootton Bassett with 3:03.48 as she finished just ahead of Chippenham Harriers’ veteran Charlotte Bowers, who on her debut ran an impressive 3:04.14.

TOP WILTSHRE PERFORMERS IN LONDON

MEN: 2:38.31 (PB) Stuart Holloway (Salisbury); 2:53.21 (PB) Robin Mark Schols (M50, AVR); 2:57.58 (PB) Nathan Smith (M40, Devizes); 2:58.41 Thomas Coney (AVR); 2:59.38 Jeremy Coward (M40, Chipp).

WOMEN: 3:03.48 Samantha Kelly (W45, Wootton Bassett); 3:04.14 (PB) Charlotte Bowers (W35, Chipp); 3:13.50 (PB) Ruth Thom (Salisbury); 3:15:10 Diane Hier (W50, AVR); 3:23.09 Joanne Mumford (W40, AVR).