COWES-based athlete Matt Sharp completed his third sub-2hrs 20min marathon when he competed for England in this year’s Mainova Frankfurt Marathon in Germany.

Unfortunately, this year’s event was held in cold, windy conditions, which slowed all of the competitors on the outward and return sections of the course.

Sharp, running with England team-mate Aaron Scott, passed through the 10km point in 32.46.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Matt Sharp, of Spy-Velo, competed in the Frankfurt Marathon in Germany, finishing as second for England and 28th overall.  

Still together, they reached the half-marathon point in 1.08.06, just before they crossed the River Main bridge to head back to the city centre, on the north side of the river.

Sharp held his pace into strong wind and passed through the 22-mile marker in 1hr 53mins, but then began to slow down and, from this point, he had to dig deep as he ‘hit the wall’.

Despite losing a few places, Sharp battled on to the finish to clock 2.19.17 for a very creditable 28th place — and second England team member home.

This was Sharp’s slowest marathon, after runs in London and Berlin, but it was still a performance which ranks him in England’s elite in 2018.

His coach, Geoff Watkin, of Ryde, said: “After preparing at altitude in Font Romeu in the Pyrenees, it was really unfortunate conditions were far from ideal for a faster time.

“But after he takes time to recover properly, Matt will train to compete in a spring marathon.

“The marathon is unlike other running distances, where you would be able to compete in another race the following week, so Matt will reflect on this performance and then prepare thoroughly again.”