A TALENTED long-distance runner is to miss out on the Olympics, despite a brilliant showing in the London Marathon.

Charlotte Purdue from Hook managed a time of two hours 32 minutes 48 seconds. She was the third fastest British woman in the race.

As strong as her run was, Charlotte’s timing fell agonisingly outside the Olympic standard qualifying time of 2.31.00 for the Rio Games in Brazil.

Charlotte, 24, said: “My time is unfortunately outside of the qualifying time set by British Athletics but inside the time set by the IAAF. There is a third spot available, but I have unfortunately not been selected despite being the third fastest British woman.”

The race was the culmination of months of preparation.

“My training for this marathon has been under way since December 2015 when I first went over to Australia to train with my coach, Nic Bideau, and the group over there.

“The marathon was more than I thought it would be - a great experience, and the crowds were amazing.”

It all started in Hook. Charlotte still holds the record for the Hook Fun Run two-and-a-half mile race, which she set in 2006 – the same year she won the London mini-marathon.

She is a long-time member of Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletic Club and boasts an impressive resumé over a range of distances.

Aside from Charlotte, there was no shortage of regional runners in London.

Steven Bartlett, from Hartley Wintney, ran his first marathon in aid of Cancer UK. He is a crew manager for Hampshire Fire & Rescue.

“Despite the hours I dedicated to training, I completed the race in 5.32 with very sore knees,” said Steven. “A little slower than I was hoping for, but my knees had other ideas!”

Charlotte Macgregor, from Odiham, was also in the running, raising more than £3,000 for the Brain Tumour Charity.

Darren Williams, from Fleet, was another first-timer. The Fleet and Crookham Athletic member managed a time of 3.29.24. His wife, who was at home, spotted him on television as he came down the final stretch. Darren raised £2,017 for the British Lung Foundation.