Belgrave Harriers Tish Jones thanked the crowd for helping her achieve a satisfactory time at 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon last Sunday, writes Ziad Chaudry.

The 33-year-old, who represents the Battersea-based club, beat her previous London best from 2017 by nearly three seconds to post 2:31:20 for 16th place finish in women's race.

Jones spent most of the race virtually being the lonely runner and chasing to stay in touch with the leading groups but the vocal cheers of the crowd along the 26.2 mile route inspired her to clock her best.

She was the second British female home behind Charlotte Purdue who finished tenth in 2:25:20.

Kenya's Brigid Kosgei defeated fellow compatriot and last year's winner Vivian Cheruiyot by almost two minutes for a 2:18:20 victory.

"I'm really happy with that," said Jones.

It was quite windy in parts and quite lonely because you are not with a group the you're kind off on your own. But the crowds here are lovely because they really helped me. I wouldn't done well without them."

And Jones, who hopes to qualify for next year's Tokyo Olympics, used last Sunday's race as a indication of where her form is currently at right now

"I haven't raced in a while and I had to defer last year's race so I really didn't know where I was at currently so it was nice to see what I need to do now," she added. "How much I need to improve and what I can change to train to get to that qualifying standard for Tokyo.

"But I couldn't be happier with how I ran today. I'm just super happy."