The return of the London Marathon after a two-year hiatus took many athletes from St Albans to the capital - and many of them returned with tales to tell.
Four young athletes from St Albans Athletics Club, who have progressed through the junior ranks, took on the challenge for the first time.
Rowan Daly from Redbourn was aiming for a time just outside the three-hour mark but helped by the atmosphere, he came home in an impressive two hours 54 minutes 41 seconds.
Megan Steer was the first lady home for AC, pacing herself well to finish in 3:28:11, while Sussex University student Jed Lumb ended his two-year wait with a 3:42:05 run.
Mother and daughter team, Lucy and Kiera Stern, finished in 4:38:50 and 4:08:31 respectively while AC coach Steve Bowran led by example with 3:13:07.
Sister club St Albans Striders were also well represented with several personal best times.
They included including Matthew Cooper (2:37:06), Andrew Page (3:13:01), Kate Dixon (3:26:15), Ben Thomas (3:57:10), Sara Wroth (4:11:23) and Sue Edwards (5:23:02).
Jo Farmer ran her first marathon in 4:52:59.
Elsewhere Steve Buckle set a PB and new club V40 record at the Dorney Lake Marathon with a PB also for Jenna Scott and a debut marathon for Karen Adams.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here