DAN ROBINSON'S stunning racing second half saw the Nailsworth star claw back a staggering 43 places to become the second European home in the World Championships marathon in Helsinki on Saturday.

Robinson ,30, running sensibly in the early stages over the 26 miles 385 yards event, finished 12th in a season's best time of two hours 14 minutes 26 seconds, in a race won by Jaouad Gharib.

Robinson even saw off the challenge of reigning Olympic champion Stefano Baldini and the Ethiopian team.

As he did at the Olympics, Robinson started cautiously. At 5k he was only 73rd of the 96 starters, 72nd at 10k and 63rd at 20k.Robinson stepped on the gas, progressing to 55th at halfway in a time of 66.58, 32nd at 30k and 18th at 35k.

Robinson was delighted after finishing only four places behind Europe's leading finisher Julio Rey, Spain's highly experienced European bronze medallist who clocked 2:12.51.

"My plan was to come through in the second half and it worked reasonably well," said Robinson, whose personal best is 2:13.53.

He added: "I felt strong at halfway and there were plenty of people for me to pick off one by one."

Robinson had plenty of support with wife Jess, mum and dad Angela and Myles, brothers George and Will and coach Chris Frapwell.

Meanwhile, Huw Lobb was the only other domestic competitor. Lobb finished well down the field in 44th place clocking a time of 2:23.38.

Robinson will now turn his attention to the Stroud Half Marathon in October and the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and the European Championships in Gothenburg next year.

He added: " I will take a break now and hopefully I will get picked for the Commonwealth Games now because I am well under the qualifying time."