A record number of runners took part in this year’s London Marathon.
More than 50,000 people donned their trainers and took part under the sun - and clouds - of London yesterday (Sunday).
And more than 12,900 children and young people took part in the TCS Mini London Marathon.
There were a number of records broken at the weekend with Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir breaking the women-only world record.
She won a fast and frantic four-way fight for the line between some of the fastest women in history.
Fastest of all lining up at the beginning was Tigst Assefa, who smashed the outright women’s record in Berlin last year, and was hotly tipped for victory here.
But the Ethiopian had to settle for second as 30-year-old Jepchirchir called on all her experience to triumph in a tussle for the ages.
She sprinted onto The Mall to take the tape in 2:16:16.
Claiming his first London title was debutant Alexander Mutiso Munyao, who saw off an incredible effort by distance running great Kenenisa Bekele to win the men’s title.
He completed the race in 2:04:01.
And Emile Cairess became the first Brit to make the podium since 2018, finishing in third.
Swiss duo Marcel Hug and Catherine Debrunner sped to victory in an historic day for the TCS London Marathon wheelchair races.
For the first time ever, prize money for the wheelchair event has been made the same as able-bodied athletes.
This means that both Hug and Debrunner will pick up £44,000 ($55,000) for their victories.
Hug’s win was his fourth in succession in London, crossing the line in 1:28:35
If you were in London on Sunday, it is likely that you would have seen some of the inspiring runners after their 26.2 mile achievement with their families, friends and of course, their medals.
Lots of people from West Berkshire took part and did the district proud – many running for causes close to their heart.
Among them is Hermitage man Steve Lyons.
Mr Lyons ran in memory of his late mother and raised more than £1,200 for Parkinson’s Research UK.
He crossed the line in 4 hours and 45 minutes.
And this isn’t the first time he took on the challenge in the capital. He last ran in 2017, raising a similar amount of money for Motor Neurone Disease, in memory of his late father.
Also raising money and awareness of MND is 24-year-old Lily Pearce from Bradfield.
She wanted to take on the 26.2 mile challenge to support her father Paul who was diagnosed last year.
And she ended up raising £13,768 for the MND Association Reading and West Berkshire Branch.
She completed the challenge in five hours and 17 minutes.
She said: “Wow, what an amazing experience.0
“I had a brilliant time.
“I am now very achey all over and struggling to even walk.”
She and her mother Gail said they were blown away with the generous donations and said a thank you to all who contributed.
“It really means so much,” they said.
Please visit https://shorturl.at/zGKTZ to donate to her fundraiser.
It was a first time, however, for Isabel Rudgley who wanted to take on the challenge for her father Richard – a well-known doctor from Cold Ash.
Mr Rudgley, a former senior partner at Thatcham Medical Practice, was cycling with his friend Trevor in May 2023 when he suffered a stroke.
And so his daughter took it upon herself to take on the challenge for the Stroke Association.
She has already raised £5,301.
Her fundraising page can be found here https://rb.gy/itddnp
Gearing up to run for the eighth time was Sue Bennet, 64.
The Newbury woman has suffered from multiple sclerosis for 27 years after being diagnosed in 1997.
And she wanted to take on the challenge in aid of MS-UK.
Craig Login completed the marathon in memory of his late father Derek.
Derek Login had bowel cancer and sadly lost his battle with the disease on May 8, 2016.
Not only did Craig run in his father’s memory, but he raised more than £3,700 for Bowel Cancer UK.
Making the day more special for the family, he completed the challenge on what would have been his father’s 70th birthday.
Craig completed the marathon in 4:21:58.
A huge achievement considering Craig experienced an ankle ligament injury just two weeks prior.
Sister Nicola Login said: “So proud of you Craig for your achievement with having an ankle ligament injury two weeks prior to the marathon and to then complete the marathon in four hours 21 minutes 58 Seconds.
“You smashed it my brother we are all forever proud and so would of Dad.”
You can find Craig’s fundraiser here https://shorturl.at/ijFHO
Did you take on the London Marathon on Sunday or know anyone who did?
We would love to hear your story and share your fundraisers.
Email your pictures and stories to newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk
