BOURNEMOUTH’S Steve Way posted a personal best in the London Marathon.

While the Olympic dreams of Louise Damen and Liz Yelling were shattered, Way pressed his claims for further England honours by crossing the line in an impressive 2:19:04.

As Britain’s top female distance runners battled for the one Great Britain place available if the pre-selected Paula Radcliffe and Mara Yamauchi remain fit, Parkstone-based Yelling faded early on, eventually finishing in 2:40:08.

Former Bournemouth AC junior Damen was in the hunt at the 17-mile stage before Claire Hallisey (2:27:44) and Freya Murray (2:28:10) got away, leaving the Winchester ace third British finisher in 2:31:37 – exactly 13 minutes behind back-to-back winner Mary Keitany of Kenya.

Way’s sub 2:20 time, meanwhile, was his career best by 34 seconds as he finished 25th of some 37,000 runners.

Club-mate Ian Habgood placed 47th in 2:27:57, while Poole Runners’ Daniel Kagelmacher (2:38:50) and Helen Dyke (2:56:54) also impressed.

Two local athletes claimed over-60 success. Dave Cartwright of Poole Runners won the men’s category in 2:54:36, while defending women’s champion Caroline Horder (Bournemouth Joggers) ran faster than 2011, but had to settle for silver in 3:31:50.

Representing the south west in the mini-marathons, Poole AC’s Elisabeth Hood finished fifth in the under-15 girls’ event with Daniel Cook claiming fourth in the under-17 wheelchair race.