Merrien breaks 65min. barrier

Monday 21st June 2010, 2:29PM BST.

Lee Merrien passes the Peninsula Hotel on his way to an impressive victory. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0987183)

LEE MERRIEN produced a stunning run to win the Spearpoint Father’s Day Half Marathon yesterday.

Despite the challenge of a hot day, the coastal breeze made conditions nearly perfect for running, something the London 2012 Olympic hopeful took full advantage of.

His time of 64min. 54sec. was only a minute outside of Williard Chinhanhu’s 2007 record for the event, while it was also enough to make Merrien the third fastest man ever to run the distance on Guernsey.

He was followed in almost three minutes later by fellow GB international Ben Moreau, in a reversal of their London Marathon final positions. UK-based Australian Fraser Thompson was third past the line a further minute behind.