TEENAGER Rebecca Manners finished the London Marathon as the youngest runner taking part.

Rebecca Manners, of Temple Pattle, Brantham, spent her 18th birthday tackling the gruelling 26.2-mile run on Sunday.

She crossed line after five hours and 49 minutes .

“I can’t really walk properly and I’ve had to take the next day off college, but I am so pleased with how it went,” she said.

“I had gotten to 20 miles in training already, so I kind of knew I could do it – it was a really good day.

“It actually gets hard around the 13-mile mark, as you’ve already done 13 and you realise you have another 13 to go.”

Rebecca was inspired to run after watching her parents take part in previous years, and trained rigorously three times a week to get up to speed.

“My mum stayed with me all the way and helped me round,” she added

“My dad actually broke his personal record with a time of three hours 54 minutes.

“I did really enjoy the day. but I don’t know if I will be sticking to that training schedule or taking part next year.

“I will carry on doing small runs through the year to keep going.”

The 18-year-old raised about £1,400 for VICTA, a charity that supports blind and visually impaired children.

Harwich optician Malkiat Singh also took part in the marathon for the 14th time.

Despite suffering cramp 11 miles into the race, he walked to the finish line in seven hours and 46 minutes.

Mr Singh, who runs Eyes Rite in Kingsway, said: “I was wearing an orange turban and was dressed as a maharajah – I was even interviewed by the BBC as I went around.

“I had a great day other than suffering from cramp.

“I raised £900 for WellChild, but I’m hoping to raise £1,500.

"If anyone wishes to donate, they can do so at the optician .”