DEVIZES’ trainee solicitor Josh Taylor has broken the magical three-hour barrier in only his second marathon, writes Kevin Fahey.

The 24-year-old former Hardenhuish School student, who is now working for Devizes firm Wansboroughs, clocked a time of two hours 59 minutes 27 seconds in the Bournemouth Marathon on Sunday.

That carved almost five minutes off his best which he set earlier this year in Paris, but Taylor revealed he was sweating over whether he had done enough to crack that elusive breakthrough.

“I had set myself a target of running 6:45 miling, but the second half of the course was very difficult so in the last few miles I knew it was going to be very tight,” he said.

“When I got to the last mile I knew I would have to run under 6:30 and even though my legs were shot I went for it!

“I think in the end I managed 6:15 for that mile so got well inside three hours but I would have been gutted if I had missed it.

“I was really determined to beat that barrier and I am so pleased with my time in only my second marathon.

“That second half was unbelievably hard but overall I am very happy with the outcome and, after a rest, I will start preparing for my next marathon, which will be in London next year.”

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