Tyler Butterfield battled through the pain barrier to set a new national record in the marathon after coming twelfth in the hot and humid conditions yesterday.
In only the third marathon of his career, Butterfield finished in a time of 2hr 26min 29sec to edge past Raymond Swan’s 36-year-old Bermudian record of 2:26:37.
Butterfield was the only runner in the 24-man field to post a personal best at a sun-drenched Southport Broadwater Parklands.
“That hurt every step,” Butterfield said. “We had the wind on the way home. You could feel it … when you’re starting to get tired and your legs are feeling heavy and you’re getting cramp. That’s racing for you. I’ve never had to hurt so much.”