TWO Troon runners successfully completed two of the world's most famous marathons back-to-back.

Troon Tortoises recruits Liam Convery and Matt Pearce both qualified for the world's oldest marathon, the Boston Marathon, which has been running for 121 years and is steeped in tradition.

This year the conditions were very hot and added to the challenge, so they both struggled and Matt finished in 3 hrs 21 minutes 23 seconds, with Liam just behind in 3:24:26, Most of the rest of us would struggle to get under four hours so in the conditions their results were excellent.

The duo then both went to London worried about getting round the course and finishing but on the day things went well and they finished in 3:14:25, helped by another Tortoise, Rob Carrol, who finished in 3:16:08

Liam and Matt finished the Stirling marathon together in a great time of three hours and five minutes.

A delighted Matt said: "Liam and I have done great team-work on the marathons that we have finished in the exact same time. It's not usual for two runners to be able to run an entire marathon together and be happy with the result. We started it at Glasgow Clyde Marathon last year, continued at London this year and then were at Stirling.

Neither runner is best all the time - we both have our ups and downs during the races. We support each other when the other is having a hard moment and manage to get the best results."

Matt (43) is from Lancashire and moved to Troon in 2010.

He has now completed four London Marathons and has been a member of Troon Tortoises for three years.

He has had no marathon Personal Bests this year, but is happy with improving times. He managed to do his fastest 10K of the year so far at Land O'Burns in Ayr, only three days after the Stirling Marathon and is happy with that.