Wisbech Speed Skaters took part in the first marathon event of the year, held at Olympic Park cycle track. Eleven skaters braved the weather and showed real determination as they skated on the rain soaked, slippery track.

Wisbech Standard: James Eve, Karl Bates, Lucy McInerney, Luke Frary. Photo: Chun Wah Ng.James Eve, Karl Bates, Lucy McInerney, Luke Frary. Photo: Chun Wah Ng. (Image: johnny@ngfamily.co.uk)

Youngster Arthur Buckler continued with his winning streak by completing the 5km race for the younger ones in first place; he has provisionally broken the current record for the mini boys category 5k race by 40 seconds. The rain managed to hold off long enough not to affect his race.

Seven members then competed in the half marathon event of 13 laps of the one-mile circuit.

James Eve, Flynn McGurk, Lucy McInerney, Karl Bates and Graham Freear all finished in second places in their respective categories, with Luke Frary and Charlotte Stapleton finishing in 4th places in the tough masters and seniors categories.

Wisbech Standard: Warren Eve. Photo: Chun Wah Ng.Warren Eve. Photo: Chun Wah Ng. (Image: johnny@ngfamily.co.uk)

Flynn holds the fastest time of the team in the half marathon with a time of 44 mins, an improvement over last year’s time by three minutes. All except Flynn, took part in the half marathon for the first time this year.

Warren Eve took part in his first ever full marathon of 26 miles and finished in second place in the youth men’s category with a respectable time of 1 hour 35 mins in driving rain and winds, with Mike McInerney finishing the full marathon in a time of 1 hour 16 mins and taking 3rd place in the masters men’s category and finished sixth overall out of 49 competitors.

The team have a final outdoor race of the 2018 season – the British Marathon Championships to be held in Bath at the end of September.

Wisbech Standard: Arthur Buckler. Photo: Chun Wah Ng.Arthur Buckler. Photo: Chun Wah Ng. (Image: johnny@ngfamily.co.uk)