Stevenage runners enjoyed success on the streets of London as they took on the 26.2-mile challenge on Sunday.
Fairlands Valley Spartans Hazel Smith, Callie Chapman and Kym Martin have raised more than £17,000 for Children with Cancer UK in an incredible effort from the Stevenage trio.
Callie and Hazel crossed the line in 5:15:58 while Kym finished the 26.2-mile race in 6:03:03.
All three were running for a cause very close to them, as the son of fellow runner, Clare, had leukaemia but is thankfully in remission.
Kym was also running for Teresa, who lost her son Joe to acute myeloid leukaemia in June 2017 after a brave two-and-a-half-year fight.
“We had a great day,” said Hazel.
“The crowds were amazing, with so much encouragement the whole way round
“The day was all about our charity and having fun. We’re over the moon to have raised such an incredible amount.”
You can make a donation at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/InspiredMumsRaisingFunds
Fellow Fairlands Valley Spartans James Kilroy said he “battled through” to complete the course in 5:31:52.
James raised £2,800 for The Children’s Trust in memory of his son Edward.
Speaking about the experience, James said: “It was hot, my stomach cramped and I felt sick from mile-13, but I battled through, finished and got my medal.
“Amazing fellow club runners Karen Ellis and Rob Shaw joined forces and we chugged along.
“I would like to thank them both, and without Karen the last eight miles would have been so much harder.
“Also, the Spartan army support lifted me during dark moments and the overall London crowd were amazing.
“We passed so many people lying in serious conditions with ambulance crews attending them, so I’m happy just to say I finished.”
To support James visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JamesKilroy2.
Fairlands Valley Spartans runner Jo Bowdery completed the marathon in an impressive time of 4:18:20.
The Stevenage resident, running for Pancreatic Cancer UK, was delighted to finish the 26.2-mile race.
“What a day,” she said.
“I’d wanted around four hours, but it was far too hot to worry about the time. I just took it down a notch, soaked up the atmosphere and enjoyed it although my legs are a little stiff.”
Jo was delighted that her father Roy, who has battle pancreatic cancer for four years, was able to see her run.
“Thank you so much to all my supporters,” she said.
“It was an absolutely amazing day and I was able to raise more than £4,000 for a charity so very close to my heart. It was wonderful to share the experience with my family and especially my dad.”
You can still donate at uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JoanneBowdery
Kate Switters-Hince from Stevenage finished in 4:58:52.
She raised almost £3,000 for the British Red Cross in memory of her father John, who was a lifelong volunteer for the charity.
After completing the 26.2 miles, the 40-year-old said: “The conditions were so hard out there but the support was fantastic.
“Crossing the finish line was a flood of emotions.
“Seeing the Red Cross team at mile 23 gave me the final push to finish and I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone at the British Red Cross for all their support.
“My dad was like a superhero.
“He gave his everything to the British Red Cross and I knew, because I was running for a charity so close to his heart, that my dad would be there with me and get me around the course.”
To support Kate’s cause see justgiving.com/kateswitters-hince
Stevenage’s Charlie Crichton, 18, and Peter Miller, 46, completed the course together in 7:12:22, raising more then £6,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Charlie was delighted to have run the marathon and raise so much for Macmillan, saying: “I have lost all four grandparents to cancer and Macmillan were there for all of us as a family, so there was no better way to give something back.
“The conditions were bad, the heat was so unbearable and I’m just so thankful to my family for being at various points around the course to give me water supplies and for Pete for pushing me those last three miles.”
Peter – a close family friend running in memory of Charlie’s grandparents – added: “The support along the route is absolutely amazing. People tell you the crowds get you round and it’s true.”
To donate see justgiving.com/charlieandpetemarathon
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