ISLE of Wight Road Runners athlete Harry Vernon took on the Ealing Half Marathon for the third year in a row — the third of a three runs with a family link.

The race, which has become the biggest in West London, featured runners from over 30 different countries.

Starting in Lammas Park, the course ran on fully closed roads towards Walpole Park.

“This was the final leg of my family half marathon trilogy,” explained Vernon, who finished it in 1.40.29.

“In December, I ran the Portsmouth Coastal Half where my mum lives and, in March, I ran the Frankfurt Half Marathon, where my sister lives, so it was on to Ealing where my brother lives.”

Pressing on towards Ealing Golf Club, the field turned south before heading into West Ealing and towards the Brent Valley Golf Club, the railway station and back to Lammas Park.

“The atmosphere was amazing. The streets were lined with people cheering the runners on, offering us sweets and water,” he added.

“There were cow bells, foghorns and a couple of samba bands to get the heart pumping faster. There was even a live band.

“The race went well. I kept up with the runners from my age group, but at ten miles my legs ran out of steam.

“I did get a PB though, knocking a minute off my previous time.”