Grantham Running Club member Caroline Davis takes on the marathon event at the Milton Keynes Festival

Grantham Running Club member Caroline Davis took on the marathon event at the Milton Keynes Festival,

Runners could challenge themselves to the Rocket 5k, the marathon, half marathon or the Superhero Fun Run.

Caroline was hoping to better her Boston Marathon performance and get back to a sub-four hour time.

Thankfully, the temperatures had dropped from the previous week when the London and Manchester marathons were run, so conditions were more promising.

The start was outside Stadium MK and included all marathon, half marathon and relay marathon runners.

The first loop set off into central Milton Keynes which was the only part where runners tackled the famous roundabouts.

Runners then headed to Eaglestone and locals were rather bemused at nearly 2,000 athletes going past their front doors and along a narrow passageway.

From here, the course wound through Ouzel Valley Park, Milton Keynes Village and Middleton Park, followed by The Open University grounds before heading out to Woughton Park and a sharp incline at the 11.5 mile mark which was definitely testing.

The runners then returned to the Stadium MK where the half-marathoners peeled off for their stadium finish and the marathoners began their second loop.

The marathoners took to the pavements and revisited the roundabouts on their way to Ouzel Valley Park.

The route took in the Willen Lakes area where it was a case of keeping your head down and your rhythm to grind out the last few miles, keeping in mind the last incline to work through.

There were still a few twists and turns to negotiate first before running three-quarters of the track inside the stadium until finally reaching the finish line.

Caroline crossed the line in 3:58:19 so got her sub-four target, giving her fifth in her age category as she continues to improve on her marathon times in 2025.