England's Steve Way is hopeful that his exploits in today's Commonwealth Games marathon can inspire others in their transformation from couch potato to long-distance runner.

The 40-year-old finished 10th to complete this morning's race as Team England's highest-placed finisher in the event, clocking a personal best time in the process.

Way's achievement is made all the more remarkable by the fact that he was a 20-a-day smoker and weighed 16 stone back in 2007, and the runner hopes that he can give others the impetus to change an unhealthy lifestyle.

"I hope I'm an inspiration - a lot of people say I am, so that will do," he told BBC Sport.

"Just to have one person say they've given running a try because of me makes it all worthwhile but I've certainly had more than one.

"There are quite a few people out there that say they are getting themselves off the couch, getting out the door and seeing whether there is a marathon runner hidden underneath that couch potato."

Australian Michael Shelley won the men's marathon, edging out Kenya's Stephen Chemlany and Uganda Abraham Kiplimo respectively.