London Marathon runners from mid Essex raise thousands

Richard Wicks, from High Garrett, ran for the Earls Colne-based Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust.

Richard secured a time of 5:29:28 and beat his target of £2,000.

He said: “It was so nice to run for my local charity. The support crew were brilliant.”

Richard Wicks (Image: N/A)

Heidi Shubrook, from Dunmow, Nicola Darling, from Braintree, and Holly LeWinton, from Haverhill, ran the race tied together, attempting to break the record for the fastest four-legged marathon run by women.

Heidi said: “What a day the London Marathon was.

“A year ago, we began the challenge of preparing to run four-legged. On the day we gave it everything we had, and we ran so well.

“Sadly, we didn't quite make it round in time for the Guinness World Record attempt.

“We were given a time of five hours and we were only eight minutes short.

“We do still, however, remain the only females to have ever run a four-legged marathon.

“Yes, we are disappointed, and we felt like we let everyone who donated down, but it was so much harder than we ever anticipated trying to navigate corners, people who had stopped in front of us, debris on the floor… shoe laces, fatigue at different stages. Whatever could have happened, happened.

“But we did ourselves proud and we raised over £4000 for Children with Cancer.”

Holly LeWinton, Nicola Darling and Heidi Shubrook (Image: N/A)

Warren Bibbey, an electrician at Eastlight Community Homes, plies his trade in Halstead and Braintree. 

Warren finished with a time of 5:09:58 and raised £2,180 for Kidney Care UK after the support the charity gave to his wife.

He said: “The day was just a huge bag of emotions, and I feel so proud to have taken part and helped support such a great cause in the process.

“I would personally like to thank all the local businesses and charities who also contributed and supported me to make exceeding my target possible.

“It is by far the best thing I have ever done and such an incredible feeling."

Warren Bibbey (Image: N/A)

Halstead’s Ray Sharman ran for Halstead in Bloom, raising about £800.

Achieving a time of 3 hours and 42 minutes, he said: “It was fantastic day, running the London Marathon was a great experience.”

Ray Sharman (Image: N/A)

St Helena Hospice which covers north-east Essex, including Halstead, was supported by 20 marathon runners on Sunday.

Ben Campbell ran for St Helena (Image: N/A)

Fraser Lewis running for St Helena (Image: N/A)

Team St Helena has raised more than £45,000 to date.

Tim Clifton, deputy director for digital and information at the hospice, completed the marathon in four hours and 58 minutes. 

Neil Winters pictured during the marathon (Image: N/A)

Paul Davison, from Eight Ash Green, who also took on an extra challenge by running seven marathons in seven days, finished in three hours and 58 minutes.

Ben Campbell, trained super hard and finished in a quick time of 2:57, saying “I’m super happy with my time and it exceeded my expectations. Lots of clinging on for dear life in the final 10k.”

Paul Davison conquered seven marathons in seven days for St Helena Hospice (Image: N/A)

Tim Clifton running the race (Image: N/A)

Fraser Lewis ran the London Marathon on his 50th birthday and his running vest was printed with the names of 26 people requested in memory by sponsors. His time was three hours and 53 minutes. 

Neil Winters, who finished with a time of 4 hours and 13 minutes, said it was a “dream come true”.