These runners raised almost £17,000 between them for charities across the country.

• KIRSTEN Stevens, 41, from Braintree, ran the London Marathon in five hours, 13 minutes and 32 seconds, raising £1,940 for the British Lung Foundation.

Speaking after the race, she said: “I’m feeling a bit achy but the race was brilliant – a once in a lifetime experience. The supporters were really amazing and get you round the course.

“I was expecting it to be extremely difficult, and while it was far from easy, it was easier than I expected.

“I think it was easier than expected due to a combination of the fantastic supporters, maintaining a steady pace for the duration and believing that my pre-race nutrition, hydration and training would get me through.”

• EQUINE vet Ben Portus, who works at Paton and Lee Veterinary Surgery in Witham, ran the marathon in four hours and two minutes.

He raised £4,176.11 for Brooke – Action for Working Horses and Donkeys.

Mr Portus said: “I love the charity. The work they do to support working horses and donkeys around the globe is fantastic, and in supporting those animals they are also helping the very poorest workers in the world.”

“The first three hours were great and I felt really good. The atmosphere was just amazing. I hit a brick wall at 22 miles and from then on I really struggled with my vision and weakness, so I had to jog and walk the last few miles.

“Those last few miles were the hardest by far – I was terrified that I was going to collapse fully and get pulled off the course, and I wasn’t sure how I was going to keep going.

“It was the toughest thing I’ve ever done. I just went off much too fast because I felt good and got caught up in the atmosphere, but it was my first marathon so I’ve learned a huge amount.

“After finishing I gave my wife a big hug because she was really worried about me, and then we had a cheeseburger and chips, which was great.”

• AMY Bennett, 29, of Silver End, completed the Marathon in four hours and 50 minutes.

Miss Bennett ran for Brainwave in Witham and has raised £3,164 so far.

She said: “I have been really lucky, it’s such a great cause and it’s local.

“It was just through speaking to a friend, her company works with them and I would prefer to do it for a local children’s charity because I know it’s going to make such a difference.

“When you’re running it’s more of a mental thing than anything.

“I did my training with Michelle’s Running Group and I swear by it.”

• DAVE Holdich, 34, from Witham, pushed through despite an injury.

Mr Holdich completed the Marathon in a time of six hours, six minutes and 34 seconds.

He ran for Macmillan Cancer Support as part of his Run for Mum campaign. The charity cared for his mum, Sue, before her death in May 2013 and he is working to raise awareness of the disease and the charities who support people with it.

He said: “I started at a good pace but suffered an injury in my left knee at eight miles, initially it was bearable and I managed a staggered pace but by the time I reached 18 miles I could barely put weight on it, but I pushed on until the end.

“Had the injury not taken place I could have finished in four hours so I’m a little disappointed.

As for funds raised, I don’t have an exact total yet but I’m in the region of £1,200 I think.”

• SAMANTHA Leigh 19, of Rayne Road, Braintree, smashed through her target of £2,500 for Crohn’s and Colitis UK and raised £3,858.

Miss Leigh was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease three years ago and wants more people to be aware of the disease and its effects.

She said: “It was absolutely amazing, the best experience of my life. I ran it in six and a half hours I think. I didn’t want my first marathon to be about time.

“I hit a wall from mile 17 to 23 mentally which mucked me up, but thanks to the crowds, fellow runners and the four girls I’d met that morning, kept me going.”

• A YEAR 12 student completed the London Marathon in less than five hours.

Sam Platt, a pupil at Notley High School and Braintree Sixth Form, turned 18 in February.

This was his first marathon which he completed in four hours and 48 minutes, alongside his dad.

Sam was raising money for Muscular Dystrophy UK, a cause close to Sam and his family.

He has described the experience as “the best thing you could ever do.”

On his JustGiving page Sam said: “This is a very personal charity to me as my Uncle, Tony, battles with this cruel condition everyday of his life, which causes his muscles to weaken daily.”

• GRAHAM Ogan, 60, of Edinburgh Gardens, Braintree, raised more than £2,500 for Sense, a charity which supports people who are deafblind, have sensory impairments or complex needs.

He said: “It was my third London Marathon, I had a brilliant day and the crowds were amazing.

“I got around in five hours and 58 minutes, despite carrying an injury.

“I had a spasm in my right calf after 14 miles, I had to run, walk and stretch it out for 12 miles testing out my mental toughness.”

• ANN Hooks, from Rayne, ran for Action for Children and raised more than £2,800.

She completed the course in six hours, six minutes and seven seconds.

She said: "It was not as fast as I had hoped but pleased to finish my first marathon. I wanted to run it before my 40th birthday in three weeks."

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