THOUSANDS of spectators lined the city’s street to welcome Southampton marathon runners across the finish line.
More than 1,000 runners set off from the starting point in Palmerston park at 9am this morning and started to trickle in over the finish line just after 11am.
The first to complete the gruelling 26.2 mile route was first-time marathon runner David Coak – the son of former Southampton FC player Tim Coak.
The 30-year-old Eastleigh Running Club member, from St Denys, finished in two hours, 39 minutes and 58 seconds.
This was followed by Peter Summers in second with a time of two hours, 51 minutes and three seconds and Greg Spellman in third with two hours, 52 minutes and 15 seconds.
Sylwia Ward, 39, from Waterlooville, was the first female marathon runner to cross the finish line after three hours, 29 minutes and 24 seconds.
In second, for the women, was Sharon Bareham after three hours, 30 minutes and 26 seconds and Samantha Brownsea with three hours, 30 minutes and 48 seconds.
David Coak said: "I'm very pleased, I had a feeling that I would be in the sharp end of things, maybe top five. I ran the half marathon last year and came in seventh place, so I hoped I would do well.
"I had porridge with some manuka honey this morning and went out for a lasagne and chips last night. It's brilliant to see the full marathon back in the city too, I've only been running four years and to win the first marathon in my home city on its return is fantastic."
Sylwia Ward said she was happy with her time and told the Echo how her husband Chris, 55, ran the last full Southampton marathon 33 years ago.
She added: "I'm very pleased with my time, I wanted to beat three hours and 40 minutes and I have only been running for two years now.
"It is my first ever marathon and what an event it has been, brilliant in the city, I am over the moon to be here today.”
Sylwia's husband Chris said: "I'm absolutely gobsmacked at what she has achieved, so proud. For her first marathon, what an effort."
Drone video from Peter Rawlings:
The moment marathon runners set off from the starting line:
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