BRADFORD'S marathon man Emile Cairess has told of his joy at his success in the Olympics.

The Team GB athlete came fourth in the men's marathon in Paris today, with a time of 2:07:29.

Ethiopia's Tamirat Tola won the race in 2:06.26 - an Olympic record.

Emile, who grew up in Saltaire and attended Bradford Grammar School, said after the marathon: "I'm really proud of myself.

"I didn't really care where I came, it was more about doing my best race and feeling like I've fulfilled my potential.

"I can't control how fit all the other guys are.

"I feel like I ran the best I could have.

"It is the best run I've had by a decent bit.

"I just wanted to give myself a chance.

"That was my thinking, just try to run as fast as I could until the end."

In April, the 26-year-old put in a stunning effort to finish third in the London Marathon in a sublime time of 2:06:46 - becoming the second-fastest British marathon runner ever in the process.

He subsequently qualified for this year's Olympics.

Emile took up running as a young child alongside his mother Alison, an art teacher with a passion for the sport.

On the future, Emile said: "I'll try to train more, be consistent and not put pressure on myself to do anything else.

"I'll just try and improve in training and see what I can do the next time."

Emile dedicated his third-place finish at the London Marathon to his 22-year-old cousin Oliver Burton, who was left in a coma after a car crash earlier this year.

Emile gave an update on his cousin, saying: "My cousin has done fantastically.

"He's doing really well.

"He is able to come out of hospital on the weekends now.

"He's walking a little, he's mentally sound.

"It couldn't have gone any better.

"It (the car crash) was really bad.

"It was touch and go.

"It wasn't a small thing.

"He was in a coma for six or seven weeks - it was bad.

"In London (before running the marathon) it was really difficult in the morning and the build-up, I was really emotional.

"That's been a big difference.

"The build-up to Paris was way less emotionally charged, more normal.

"That helped me compared with London."

The Olympics will reach its conclusion tomorrow.