Colchester runners speak about London Marathon

Sunday’s world-famous, gruelling race for the public was postponed from April 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was finally given the green light to take place and did not fail to win up to long-awaited expectations of what would be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many.

Thousands of pounds have been raised for good causes by runners who had either a place to run the traditional 26.2-mile route around London or to complete their own virtual, equivalent distance on a route of their choice.

Jenny Kaye, 39, from Colchester, ran for St Helena Hospice, raising more than £2,200 and in memory of her dad, Graham Rayne, her teaching mentor Anne Taylor and fellow runner Gemma Edgar.

Jenny ran in London and managed a time of six hours and eight minutes. Pal Steve Shaw, also from Colchester, ran for the charity too.

Jenny said: “I’m absolutely elated and I didn’t stop smiling the whole way round.”

Colin Horwood, from Colchester, had every reason to be proud after completing his virtual marathon in five hours and 29 minutes. He raised more than £1,000 for Crohn’s and Colitis UK.

Former Gazette community content editor Matt Plummer did his sports reporting background proud after running in London in a time of three hours and 44 minutes.

Matt, 44, and from Thorpe, said: “I loved the whole experience, from start to finish.

“The last few miles seemed to last forever and were tough but, overall, it was everything I hoped it would be – and more.

“I can honestly say it was the most brilliant, exhilarating but exhausting thing I’ve ever done.

“The atmosphere was incredible and the noise, support and encouragement along the way made the world of difference.

“To have complete strangers cheering me on was so motivating and inspiring. It was the very best of human nature.

“By the end I was fit for nothing but I’ve forgotten about the aches and pains already and would love to think I’ll do it again one day.”

Runner Helen Wilson achieved a new PB of 3 hours 59 minutes.

She said: "What made me even happier, was that I have now raised over £4,200 for St Helena Hospice which is just fantastic.

"I am so thankful to everybody that has helped me achieve this amazing sum of money for the hospice. It's a great feeling to know that I have been able to do something special in memory of my Dad, Martyn Bowden."

Brothers Rupert, 25, and Freddie Mullis, 26, from Colchester, ran the London route together to raise money for prostate, testicular and penile cancer charity, Orchid.

They have raised more than £3,400. Rupert said afterwards: “We finished! It was tough but an incredible experience.”

Sadie Bradfield, 42, and from Little Clacton, ran in three hours, 20 minutes and has raised £715 so far for the Robin Cancer Trust, which will be doubled by Barclays Bank.

Val Haynes, 57, of Colchester, was a guide runner for a visually-impaired runner on the London course.

She said: “Richard and I completed the marathon in 5:18, which is amazing for a blind runner who has never run over ten miles before. He lives in London so we have not been able to train together very much. He raised almost £3,000 for his charity Look. It was a great day, and such a fantastic experience for us both.”

Ryan Seymour, 35, from Colchester, was “over the moon” to have completed the London Marathon in four hours and 48 minutes and in aid of Crohn’s and Colitis UK.

Tony Lee, 50, from Colchester, ran the virtual event in his home town to raise money for the FaNs Network, which supports care home residents and is responsible for the Wishing Washing Line.

He finished in just over five hours.

Headteacher Carl Messer completed the virtual marathon, but not before nearly 600 of his pupils had run their own mini marathon last week.

Mr Messer, head at St George’s Primary School in Colchester, challenged the children to each complete 2.6 miles in support of St Helena Hospice.

He said: ‘I couldn’t be more proud of the whole school community for uniting to support this incredibly good cause.

“Not only have the children shown a commitment to getting fitter, they have been healthily competitive and keen to encourage me to complete my first marathon to the best of my ability.’

At the last count friends, family and children had raised £1,900 for the hospice, with contributions still coming in.

,Accountant Luke Thompson, 35, from Colchester, ran for St John Ambulance after the charity saved his life.

Eight years ago Luke was riding his motorbike when he crashed head-on into another group of riders and was knocked unconscious.

He had suffered a brain haemorrhage and the crew helped Luke’s friends administer first aid which saved his life.

He said: “All in all it was an amazing day. So far I’ve raised just over £1,300 but am hoping to reach around £2,000.”

Colchester Hospital worker Tammy Aristodimou, 48, completed her run in Colchester for the Colchester and Ipswich Hospitals Charity. Colleague Emma Madden was too unwell to be able to run with her as planned.

Tammy said: “I finished at Abbey Fields with friends and family seeing me home in under five hours.”

More than £600 was raised.

Colchester’s MP Will Quince ran the London Marathon and raised more than £3,700 for SANDS, the stillbirth and neonatal death charity. Will finished in four hours 39 minutes.

On-call firefighter Jamie Corcoran, 32, from Tollesbury, ran virtually to raise money for Ella’s, an organisation working with women who have survived trafficking and exploitation.

He finished in four hours and 20 minutes.