AN occupational therapist from Bromsgrove placed 5th among 9,000 runners in the Birmingham International Marathon on Sunday.

Karl Welborn completed the 26-mile race with a time of 2 hours 39 minutes - just six minutes from the winner.

The 36-year-old, from Aston Fields, said: "I was tipped as a contender for the win but after becoming unwell the week of the race I knew it would be a tall order. Making the start line became my primary goal."

Since featuring in the Advertiser in April, after he broke into the London Marathon's top 100, Karl trained harder than ever before at Bromsgrove's Ryland Centre, and even bagged himself a silver medal in the Worcestershire multi-terrain championships.

Karl, who trains with a fast-paced team of runners called Team Marathon Road, tackled the Birmingham Marathon with his uncle Gary, in memory of his other uncle Dean, who died this year.

Speaking after the event, Karl said: "My uncle taught me the importance of sport - he was a father figure growing up.

"The support from my family and Team Marathon Road training team was amazing. Without this, the race would have been 10 times worse.

"The course was hilly and challenging at times but to compete so close to home was amazing."

Karl is hoping to run his next marathon in spring 2018.