24th August 2008

Team GB’s successful Beijing 2008 Olympic Games came to a conclusion on Sunday morning local time, when Dan Robinson completed the men’s marathon.

Robinson, who posted a personal best time of two hours 13 minutes and 10 seconds at the 2008 London Marathon, came into the city’s Bird’s Nest Stadium in hot and sunny conditions, with temperatures nudging 30 degrees Celcius.

His finish time of 2:16.14 saw him end the race in 24th position, some nine minutes and 42 seconds behind winner Samuel Wansiru of Kenya in 2:06.32.

It was an African 1-2-3, with Morocco’s Jaouad Gharib earning the silver medal and Tsegay Kebede, of Ethiopia, the bronze.

The first non-African runner home was Switzerland’s Viktor Rothlin, who finished sixth in 2:10.35.

Team GB have finished the Games boasting a total of 47 medals (19 gold, 13 silver, 15 bronze) to record their most successful Olympic Games in 100 years.

"I thought if I ran 2:15 or 2:16 it would be good enough for a top 20 in these conditions on this course," he said. "In that way I’ve got to be reasonably satisfied.

"The depth of the field was unbelievable. To go 2:06 and be on world record pace  incredible. I knew it was quick and I didn’t mind that as I thought they’d come back to me.

"Conditions here are nowhere near as bad as they were in Osaka last year (for the world championships in Japan). I wouldn’t have been able to speak after the race last year, I was in bits.

"Maybe I was a little too cautious today, I don’t know. But 2:16 for this weather is pretty good."

Having spent so much time concentrating on delivering his best possible performance at Beijing 2008, Robinson now has a delivery of a different kind on his mind. The 33-year-old, who runs for the Stroud & District club, is about to become a father for the first time, with wife Jess expecting their new arrival at any moment.

"No news is good news on that front," he said. "I spoke to Jess this morning and I’m just looking forward to getting home now."

For Results and Startlists click here