York Knavesmire runners take part in Olympic Park event (From York Press)

York Knavesmire Harriers runners take part in Olympic Park event

10:06am Thursday 12th April 2012 in Athletics By Stuart Martel, Sports editor

A QUARTET of York Knavesmire Harriers runners have experienced an early taste of Olympic glory.

Caroline Warrington, Sarah Douglas, Simon Collins and Joan Heron were among the first people to cross the finish line in London’s Olympic Stadium.

More than 43,000 people entered a ballot to get a place in the Olympic Park Run, organised by the National Lottery, and the four Harriers were among the 5,000 who actually lined up in the event.

The run was a five-mile race around the Olympic Park, taking in landmarks such as the Velodrome and Aquatics Centre and finishing in the Olympic Stadium.

For Warrington, Douglas, Collins and Heron, the most memorable part of the race was the final 300 metres when they actually ran on to the Olympic track to cross the finish line in front of a 10,000-strong crowd. The winning man’s time was 25 minutes 11 seconds, while model Nell McAndrew was the first women home in 29-21.

Collins finished 119th overall in a time of 30-47, which was an exceptional performance.

Warrington claimed 475th place in a time of 34-47 and Douglas was 488th in 34-52. Heron clocked 46-24.

There were 2,634 women running and Warrington was 52nd and Douglas 55th.

Douglas said: “It was truly an amazing experience. I’m still buzzing now.

“I got the sub-35 minute time I’d hoped for so am delighted.

“Since my parents weren’t able to get any Olympic tickets, they loved being able to see the stadium and they were so proud of me actually being there.

“Running in the stadium was just the best feeling I’ve ever had with 10,000 people cheering. “I still can’t believe I was actually there.”