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1984 Olympic year and the London Marathon, now sponsored by Mars, was the trial. Juma lkangaa and Zakaria Bane from Tanzania took an early lead and it was down to Gateshead clubmates Charlie Spedding and Kevin Forster to play a waiting game. The Tanzanian's huge lead was reduced little by little as they suffered from the scorching early pace. Spedding and Forster reaped the benefits. They caught them at 16 miles and it was Spedding who took the initiative, setting out on a lonely run for the finish. At 20 miles he finally caught Ingrid Kristiansen, on her way to victory after a ten minute start on the men. Spedding crossed the line, tired but elated with his second marathon victory in two attempts in 2:09:57. He went on to win a bronze medal at the Los Angeles Olympics. Forster was second over a minute behind. lkangaa was sixth, Bane 51st. Kristiansen's winning time was 2:24:26, a European record. Priscilla Welch was second, Sarah Rowell third and they joined Joyce Smith in Britain's Olympic team. |
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