A Powys woman travelled more than 3,000 miles to take part in one of the world's oldest marathons - the Boston Marathon.

Ffion Evans, from Welshpool, took part in the 2024 Boston marathon on Monday, April 15.

The world’s oldest annual marathon, first held in 1897, the event is widely regarded as one of the world's best-known road racing events. It regularly attracts up to 30,000 runners and 500,000 spectators.

Ffion said: “I qualified for the Boston marathon from my time running the London marathon time in 2022, as unlike other marathons, with Boston you have to get a specific time to enter the race.

“It’s definitely the furthest I’ve ever gone to compete in a sporting event and it was interesting to see how things are done differently in a marathon held in a different country, which I’ve never experienced before.

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“The course itself was hillier than other marathons I’ve run. It was also very hot on the day, definitely the hottest conditions I’ve ever run a marathon in. In fact there were quite a few people who had to retire from the race because of the heat.

“The atmosphere in Boston made it one of the best races I’ve ever competed in. It was an incredible experience and everything in the organisation and planning side seemed really well thought out. For example, they had hosepipes and popsicles at regular spots along the course to help cool people down as they ran in the heat.

County Times: Ffion Evans taking on the Boston marathon.

“Even though there’s a bar to qualify there were still lots of different participants in the race, from seasoned athletes to charity runners, which added to the variety and made it extra special.

“What made the event even more unique was the build up to the race, which lasted for a few days beforehand and involved a whole bunch of events around the city. You really get the sense that the marathon is a citywide event for the people who live in Boston.

“There was such a sense of community from the runners, even people I met as I was making my way round the course. To get to the start we were taken by bus and even on those buses the atmosphere was electric, full of nervous but excited runners.

“It’s already such a special memory for me and the event gave me such an insight into how marathons are put together on the other side of the world. “

She crossed the finishing line with a time of three hours and 22 minutes.