Former Chapel High School student, Edward Diamond, has been celebrating after finishing 40th in the London Marathon.

Growing up as a sporty child, Ed frequently excelled in sports days and races. But it wasn’t until one of his teachers persuaded him to join Buxton Athletic Club that his running talent began to soar.

Fast forward seven years and his passion for sport is hard to miss, achieving amazing times in prestigious races.

The London Marathon is the biggest race in the UK and one of the biggest in the world. Athletes travel from across the globe to experience the feeling of running through the capital, passing monumental areas, and soaking up the culture.

So, when Ed completed the 2022 race in just 2 hours 27 minutes, it was difficult to describe how incredible he felt.

“I was nervous before the race this year. I’d set expectations for myself, and I really wanted to achieve them.

“My aim was to run a 2-hour 35-minute marathon, so to shave some minutes off that time was amazing,” Ed said.

Having completed the marathon in 2021 with a time of 2 hours 39 minutes, he earned a championship place this year.

“I didn’t realise how close to the front I would be starting this year in the championship race. I was in the third row, and it was quite a surreal experience.

“Everyone went out so quickly and it wasn’t the pace I’d planned on going at, but I thought I’d see how long I could keep up for,” he said.

Ed didn’t realise he had finished in 40th place until the following day, but the intense emotions he felt following the race were overwhelming.

“I was so physically and mentally drained by the end, you then have a 30-minute spike of emotion where you’re calling family, soon after your body shuts down.

“I headed home to rest and the day after I could actually rest and enjoy the achievement,” he said.

2022 was just the second time he had completed this prestigious London event, in 2021 Ed raced an amazing time, as well as raising invaluable funds.

“In 2014 my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, which was of course horrible for the family.

“She was supported heavily by The Christie, they provided support and treatment as well as helping our family, including me and my brothers who were young at the time.

“I wanted to give something back to them after how much they supported us. I thought the marathon would be a great way for me to do something I wanted to achieve, as well as giving back to them,” Ed explained.

This wonderful gesture was overwhelming for Ed’s mum. Whilst the charity picked their runners, he asked for it to be kept quiet, in an attempt to surprise his mum.

“I kept it a secret for a while and when I told her she was so happy and so overwhelmed. This was just an extra motivation for me then, making me want to go out and run the miles.”

Now, Ed will focus his efforts to the cross-country season. Having recently moved to Birmingham for university, he is delighted to be accessing expert coaches within their facilities.

A clear talent for running, Ed will be taking on various races in the last quarter of the year, continuing to prove his gifted athleticism.

He says he would love to return to the marathon scene in the future, striving to see what achievements he could grab next.

Want more local sport stories?

Head to https://www.questmedianetwork.co.uk/news/sport/ to see more of our coverage - from community and non-league football to local and county cricket, boxing, athletics, basketball, Esports and golf.