Runners from across Uttlesford pounded the streets of the capital on Sunday in the 2014 Virgin London Marathon. Here is our round-up of those who took part in the 26.2-mile race...
• Eighteen-year-old lifeguard Domenic Wilson, from Radwinter, completed the course in 4hrs 12mins. He has so far raised more than £400 for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of his grandfather.
Domenic said: “I was feeling really good until the 20th mile and then I hit the wall! I wanted to do it under four hours but just missed out. During the race I loved it but I’m not feeling so good now!”
To donate, visit virginmoneygiving.com/DomenicWilson
• Saffron Walden resident Jai Goodwin, 20, raised more than £500 for the Alzheimer’s Society. He finished the marathon in 5hrs 35mins.
• Months of training paid off for members of the Saffron Striders. The Saffron Walden-based running club had eight runners lining up among the 36,000 participant in the world-famous race.
First over the finish line in The Mall for the Striders was marathon veteran and club chairman Nigel Coates. Nigel, who was running his 18th London Marathon, finished in 3hrs 13mins 5secs, making him an incredible 166th in the male 50-54 age category and securing him a good for age start in the 2015 race.
Close behind was Iain Henley, who ran 3hrs 17mins 41secs, and raised over £500 for inaid of debt counselling charity Christians Against Poverty.
Tim MacMahon had plenty to celebrate after crossing the finish line in 3hrs 51mins 21secs – it was a new personal best over the distance by three minutes. He has also raised more than £700 for St Clare Hospice.
Barry Taylor completed the course in 3hrs 59mins 29secs, raising hundreds of pounds for Macmillan Cancer Support in the process.
Gemma Thake was the first of three female Saffron Striders to finish, completing the challenge in 4hrs 15mins 47secs.
Tony Kelly completed his first-ever marathon in 4hrs 26mins 27secs. He raised almost £2,000 for the Joliba Trust, which works with some of the poorest communities in Mali.
Sarah Devlin finished in 5hrs 26secs, and Jo Pollington crossed the line in 5hrs 13mins 3secs.
• Ashley Morrison broke the four-hour mark, finishing in 3hrs 57mins 8secs – and afterwards said he was “sore but elated”.
Ashley said the worst bit was getting two blisters on his right foot within six miles, and another on his left foot at mile eight.
But he was pushed along by the “the shouts of encouragement every few metres from complete strangers helped me through every single step”, adding: “It made it the best feel-good day of my life.”
Ashley was raising money for Sense, a charity that provides expert support, advice, information and specialist services to deafblind children and adults.
• Carol Willis was thrilled to have completed her first marathon, in a time of 5hrs 5mins.
“It was an amazing experience and it is so true what everyone says – the unbelievable crowd will spur you on to the finishing line, even when you hit the wall,” said the Radwinter mother-of-one, who raised money for Children with Cancer UK.
“I would like to thank everyone who sponsored me. I have been overwhelmed with the support I have received from friends and family, not to mention total strangers. It has been a real humbling experience and everyone has been so very generous.”
She added: “I would like to say a particular thank you to some local people in the area: George Cooper, sports physiotherapist in Stansted who has helped me through an injury a few months ago and got me back on track again with my training; George and Sylvia; my hairdresser Matthew Lewis for displaying a collection box; and the manager of The Party Shop for sponsoring my fundraising by donating helium balloons for a street collection.”
To donate, visit virginmoneygiving.com/carolmar2014.com
• Seven members of WaldenTRI took part in the marathon, on Sunday.
Jeremy Buss arrived home first, with an excellent time of 3hrs 31mins 35secs, 5,346th finisher overall and 416 in his age group. Teresa Peasgood, running her 11th consecutive London marathon, followed in a time of 3hrs 35mins 31secs, while Sarah Switzer was right behind her, in 3hrs 36mins 36secs.
David Peasgood (3hrs 50mins 7ecs), Al Budinger (4hrs 5mins 7ecs) and Dave Ives (4hrs 5mins 32ecs) followed. Clare Thompson - carrying a back pack - came home in an impressive 4hrs 56mins 9ecs.
• Mark Fitzhenry and his daughter, Georgia, both completed the gruelling course.
Mark finished in 5hrs 7mins and Georgia in 6hrs 7mins. They will have raised over £2,500 (by the time all is collected) for the MS Society.
Mark said: “The atmosphere was fantastic and the crowds cheering everyone on really helped.”
• Alex Milne beat his target of four hourse, finishing in 3hrs 57mins. He said: “I still ache a fair bit and got very burnt on my shoulders, but I’ll survive!”
The 21-year-old has raised £1,540 for Mind and is eager to reach his target of £1,650. To donate, visit justgiving.com/alex-milne2.
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