Heroic runners from Halstead district conquer London Marathon

The annual event sees people take on the 26.2 mile run through London streets, taking in famous landmarks such as Tower Bridge and the Cutty Sark before finishing at The Mall.

A HALSTEAD man completed the marathon in an impressive two hours and 39 minutes.

James Smith, 36, of Kings Road, was also happy to raise £1,000 for The Alzheimer's Society.

The Broomfield Hospital worker said: "The conditions were great on the day.

"I found the middle few miles hard but I managed to keep my legs ticking over and finished (fairly) strongly!

"The support there is always amazing.

"I would definitely run another one.

"I'll be running Halstead Marathon in a couple of weeks.

"It's all good training for my first ultramarathon in June where I will be running 50.5 miles.

"I'm very proud of my wife, Nicole, who knocked an incredible 22 minutes of her personal best to run four hours and seven minutes."

A WOMAN has praised the support of the crowds during the marathon.

Mel Carpenter, 42, raised more than £1,700 for Whizz Kids, a disabled children's charity.

She said: "It went really well and I loved every mile of it.

"The support from the crowds and encouragement you get is like nothing I have experienced before.

"Seeing friends and family in the crowd as well is really emotional.

"I felt good the whole way round and every photo of me has a big cheesy grin.

"It was a truly unforgettable day."

Mel, a commercial director for Colchester-based SVC Group who grew up in Sible Hedingham and now lives in Bocking, completed it in five hours and 45 minutes which she says she is "over the moon with".

ONE runner raised more than £1,100 for charity after her marathon effort.

Alice Wotton, 19, a part time make-up artist and dressage rider, was raising money for Children with Cancer UK and the Smile of Arran Trust.

She finished the marathon in five hours and 36 minutes.

Alice, of Pebmarsh, said: "It was the hardest thing I have ever done physically.

"I was fine up until mile 17, and then cramp set in and the last five miles were the hardest.

"The crowd was amazing and pushed me through and I got to see me my family and boyfriend at mile 19.

"After I finished I thought I was going to feel like I would want to do it again , but I didn't.

"I didn't realise how much pain I would be in.

"My feet were killing, but the morning after I didn't hurt as much and I feel like I could do one again - maybe New York next time.

"I am so proud I finished and the feeling of making my family proud is so rewarding.

"It was so lovely to see my boyfriend, Douglas, at the finish too."

A TRIO of runners has raised £4,600 between them.

Emily Rayner and husband Lee, 33, a precision engineer, completed the marathon in four hours 14 minutes.

Emily, 30, a drug and alcohol counsellor for The Children's Society, said: "We are absolutely chuffed to bits with our time.

"The marathon was amazing absolutely incredible experience.

"We have raised just short of £3500 for our charity which was for Mid Essex Hospitals new bereavement suite.

"It was one of the best experiences of our lives up there with our wedding day.

"I wouldn't rule out doing it again and in contemplation for next year however my husband said never again."

Emily's dad, Keith Thorogood, 62, raised £1,100 for Farleigh Hospice in his 45th London Marathon.

He said: "It was an absolutely fantastic day but never again."

Emily added: "I am so proud of my dad he is an strong as an ox."

THE crowd pushed one Rachael Roughan on to complete the challenge.

The 35-year-old, of Sible Hedingham, was hoping to finish the marathon in under four hours, but instead made it in four hours and five minutes.

She said: "The last six miles on my legs were awful.

"Everything was hurting, but the crowd and atmosphere was amazing and it was that that kept me going.

"I thought I've been grateful to so many for sponsoring me and to help me reach my target I can't quit now.

"I didn't want to let them or my charity down so I pushed on and made it to the end.

"I had my name on my vest and it was amazing the crowd shouting my name and telling me I'm doing great and to keep going.

"During the race I thought I'm never doing this again but once it was over I thought I've got to do it next year too.

"It was an amazing experience that I'll keep forever."

She has raised more than £1,600 for Childhood First, a charity that helps children who have been through trauma or neglect.

HAZEL Buist was pleased to knock 42 minutes off her previous best time.

The 33-year-old, of Conies Road, Halstead, raised £1,500 for the charity Help me Hear, which is raising money for Danny Pickard who was born with CHARGE syndrome.

She completed the marathon in four hours and six minutes.

Hazel, who is setting up a new keep fit business, said: "I was running well until 20 miles and was on track for an under four hour finish but then I hit the wall.

"I was determined not to walk so plodded on though the last six miles.

"All the spectators really helped to keep me going.

"I already have another marathon booking in September for the Loch Ness marathon."

THE marathon was one of the best experiences James Felton has ever had.

The 26-year-old plumber completed it in four hours and 50 minutes, which was slightly over his target of four hours 30 minutes.

James, of Earls Colne, said: "I was concentrating more on reaching the finish line and not a finish time.

"The London Marathon is one of the best experiences I've ever had - the atmosphere and support all the way round was incredible.

"I have currently raised £4,063 for Parkinson's UK.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has contributed to this total.

"Those who have sponsored me, bought raffle tickets, came to the golf day and the quiz night I held.

"The encouragement and support I've received from family and friends throughout training and marathon day has been amazing.

"I couldn't be more thankful to everyone."

A WEBSITE developer raised £2,200 for a charity close to his heart.
Joe Stone, 23, of Earls Colne, ran for The Smile of Arran Trust, which was set up in memory of Aaron Tosh who died from a brain tumour when he was 13.
He said: "I ran for this charity because my girlfriend Mia and I are close friends with the Tosh family and it was brilliant to run the marathon for such an amazing cause. 
"I have so far raised £2200 which I am really happy about! 
"I finished in 4:39:57 - four seconds slower than Chris Evans.
"The support on the day was brilliant, I had lots of family and friends cheering me on at different points.
"I was enjoying it until the 20th mile when my knee started hurting and I kept getting cramp every 30 seconds.
"I would like to thank The Smile of Arran Trust and all of the Tosh family for giving me this opportunity."