Ryan ‘smashes it’ with brilliant run
RYAN BURLING defied even his own lofty expectations in Sunday’s Frankfurt Marathon.
His superb 2hrs 20min. 10sec. clocking has only ever been surpassed by peak-form Lee Merrien among Sarnians, although the recent Luton AC transfer is yet to become fully eligible for Guernsey Athletics Club’s all-time list.
But that does not take anything away from Burling’s breakthrough performance.
He knocked over half-an-hour off his previous marathon best to take 29th in a packed international field, as well as leaping into 11th on the 2018 GB rankings for the distance.
The 24-year-old also has youth on his side and expects more is to come in anticipation of representing Guernsey at Birmingham 2022 – and beyond.
‘I’m so happy, not going to lie,’ said Burling.
‘I felt incredibly good at 30k but 2-19 just got away, maybe due to lack of experience, but it’ll come.
‘It’s a massive step forward anyway – maybe one day I can do something really special.’
More in Tuesday's Guernsey Press.
