Marathon-man Chris Read is still feeling ‘a bit stiff’ after successfully completing the New York Marathon last week.

The 29-year-old completed the 26-mile course in three hours and 31 minutes, a time he was quite proud to take.

He said: “I had got through the first 17 or 18 miles reasonably well but then my whole body seized up and the last hour was hard going.

“I was soon willing the end to come in sight and I felt pretty bad for two or three days after the marathon, but I really enjoyed the challenge. The support you get from the crowds is absolutely fantastic.

“New York is a great city to explore in any case and the route for the marathon takes you through all five boroughs and across three bridges. It was a terrific experience.”

Read entered the marathon to raise funds for Bowel Cancer UK, in memory of his first cricket coach in Devon, Trevor Ward, who died of the disease in 2006.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Read can still do so, and should click here.