The Olympic Marathon which passed through Borehamwood, Elstree and Radlett ended in a crushing defeat for Etienne Gailly in 1948.

The 26-year-old Belgian led the marathon for nearly all of its 25 mile route, but by the time he reached Wembley Stadium he was so exhausted two other runners overtook him, and he only won Bronze.

The above photograph shows Mr Gailly storming along Borehamwood's Shenley Road, at which time he was around 12 miles into the race.

Alan Lawrence, from Elstree, who watched the race and saw Gailly at the finish line, said: "He came into Wembley Stadium in first place, but he was on his last legs, he was staggering all over the place. Two people overtook him."

Mr Gailly nearly gave up 60 yards from the finish line, with the exhaustion of pushing himself too hard in the early stages of the race.

He carried on to the finish line, where he collapsed and was carried off in a stretcher. Britain's Tom Richards took silver, and Argentinian Delfo Cabrera took gold.

Do you have any photos of the Olympic Marathon or the walk going through Elstree or Borehamwood?