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In pictures - the British Olympic Marathon Trials

Here's all the action from Friday's race

By Jane McGuire
müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

The weather wasn't the best but that didn't stop an elite field of some of GB's finest marathon runners from giving their all this morning in a shot at glory and sealing a place at this summer's Tokyo Olympics. The route round Kew Gardens was completely closed to the public and journalists alike - but fortunately photographers were allowed in to capture the action.

1

The male and female runners set off

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images
2

Fourteen women and fifteen men went off at the gun

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

It's unusual for elite men and women to start a race together.

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3

Early spring

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

The women start to spread out - and are those crocuses in the background?

4

In sync.

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

The leading women bunch together, with Becky Briggs at the front and Lily Partridge at the back.

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5

No time for sights

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

The fellas hare past the world famous Palm House.

6

And on Aadan

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

Mohamud Aadan bunches his fists and grits it out.

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7

All the time for Thompson

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

Chris Thompson was the oldest competitor in the field at 39 years old.

8

Flower Power

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

Surely running at a venue as scenic as this has to knock a couple of seconds per mile off your time?

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9

Off the pace

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

The pace makers take the leading group including Ben Connor and Dewy Griffiths with them...and leave the others behind.

10

First time out

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

Being a Peloton instructor in New York clearly isn't enough of a challenge for former RW cover star Becs Gentry who, at 35 years old, decided to try for the first time to qualify for an international championships.

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11

Easy does it

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

Stephanie Davis cruising her way to victory.

12

No country for old men?

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

Not on Chris Thompson's watch. Here he is showing how much booking his plane seat to Tokyo - and running a PB to boot at the age of 39 - means to him.

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13

What's the Japanese for 'say cheese'?

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

Most of us would be staggering to the nearest pillar for support but Stephanie Davis has time to grin down a camera lens after winning in 2:27:16, well inside the qualifying time of 2:29:30.

14

A cut above

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

Women's marathon winner Stephanie Davis celebrates with her award alongside second place Natasha Cockram (R) and third place (L) Rosie Edwards.

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15

Let's hear it for the boys

müller british athletics marathon and 20km walk trials
Tom Dulat - British Athletics//Getty Images

Mens marathon winner Chris Thompson celebrates with his award alongside second place Ben Connor (R) and third place Mohamud Aadan (R).

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