THE unexpected heat may have made it exhausting but the amazing crowds helped Derbyshire’s runners survive fatigue to cross the line at the London
Marathon. More than 35,000 people from across the world descended on London for the annual race which finished in The Mall. And scores of athletes from Derbyshire took part with many hoping to raise money for charity. Claire, who finished in five hours 10 minutes, said: “This was the first marathon I’d ever done so I was a bit nervous but I’ve done 10k events and half marathons and this was the next step for me. “There are points along the way where you get tired and wonder whether you’re going to finish but I told myself that I was going to make it to the end, even if I had to walk. “But I managed to run the whole way round and it was a great feeling to cross the finish line, especially as it was my first try.” Claire said the spirit of the crowds and other runners spurred her on.
She added: “People always say that it’s one of the best runs you can do but you only really realise that when you’ve done it because it’s just amazing.