Eleven-year-old Elliott Veheary, became the borough's first Flora Mini Marathon winner on Sunday, writes Mike Fleet.

The Croydon Harriers youngster completed the 2.65 mile section of the London Marathon course in an excellent time of 15 minutes and eight seconds.

Will Mercer was next home in 13th (16.12) followed by Nick Ryan in 17th (16.27), Mark Plackett 19th (16.37) and Fraser Novell finished 29th (16:50).

George Thatcher, who has recently returned from warm weather training, finished a weary but respectable 30th (14:33) in the 15-16 age cateogry.

Three Croydon Harriers survived the scorching conditions in the main marathon Junior track and field manager Terry Lapins 5296th headed them in 3:45:49, Ian Statter was next in 3:58:05 and Eric Campbell capped the successful trio's run in 4:42:11.