FORMER international Amy Chalk, from the village of Stanley, near Calne, ran her fastest marathon in seven years – and leapt to the top of the South West Rankings - as she ducked well under three hours in Paris.

Chalk, who recently celebrated her 40th birthday, completed the course in 2hrs 54mins20secs for 25th place overall in the women’s field and subject to confirmation one of the leading veterans.

“For so often in my career I have run marathons with my head down working hard for a fast time but on Sunday I ran with my head up and took in all the sights and really enjoyed it,” said Chalk.

“I had no target or time in mind especially after coming down with a chest infection recently so I was pleasantly surprise with how well I ran. I enjoyed the marathon as much as anyone can enjoy that!”

It wasn’t Chalk’s first time racing the Paris marathon as she recalls running the event in 2003 – when she finished in 2:51.15. Twelve years on and remarkably she has only three minutes.