HOOK long distance runner Charlotte Purdue smashed her own personal best on her way to a top 10 finish on the London Marathon.

The 27-year-old who missed last year’s event due to injury came back with a bang, as she finished in a new best of 2:25:38, beating her previous PB by nearly four minutes.

The Aldershot and Farnham athlete was the first Brit home and this secured a expected place at this year’s World Championships and a top 10 in a marathon major event means she will also qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

The London race was won by Brigid Kosgei of Kenya, ahead of defending champion Vivian Cheruiyot.