7 Harriers could break the barrier

Well the waiting is almost over, as the 2011 edition of the Virgin London Marathon is finally here and it looks like the Harriers could have 7 runners break the three hour barrier.

Matt Ellis: Should comfortably finish as the Harriers top performer. Has lowered his PB over the Half to 70.27 and ran 1.53 for 20 miles at Bramley. He will be looking to break the 2.30 barrier and providing he can curb his tendency to go off like a rocket, he should easily achieve this goal.

Emma D'Alton: Has been running consistently well over all distances this year. Setting a new PB at 5k (17.28), as well as at 20m (2.09), all points towards a time of well inside 2.50, which would put her as one of the country's leading women in the main race.

Rich Collinson: Having decided against an attempt at a world record in fancy dress, Rich will  be looking to put serious inroads into his current PB of 2.56.06. PBs this year in 10k (34.04) and 20m (2.06) would also suggest he should comfortably run under 2.50.

Colin Johnson: Like a fine wine, he keeps getting better with age. PBs of 18.00 for 5k and 1.21 for the half show that he is in the shape to better his time of 2.57.41 from last year's Dublin Marathon.

Gregg Ward: A bit of an unknown quantity, he has been running exceptionally well over short distances this season and has improved his PB to 16.44 for 5k and 1.18.52 for the half. Less experience over longer distances suggest he will be looking to comfortably break 3 hours in his first race at the distance.

Sophie Voller: Will be confident of smashing her previous PB of 3.09 set 2 years ago in London, having improved her half time to 1.21.52, she must be thinking of a time between 2.55 and 3.00 based on present form.

Robyn Golding: Her debut at the distance and her preparation has been hampered in recent weeks by a niggling achilles injury. Early form points towards sub 3 and if anyone out there could do through sheer weight of personality when the going gets tough it's gotta be Robyn!

Good luck to all the other Harriers, plenty will be looking for GFA times in their age categories, so let's keep an eye out for the performances on Sunday!