Shropshire runners return with tales from London Marathon

Every one of hundreds of runners from the region had stories to tell of the 26.2 mile run through the streets of the capital.

Many have raised thousands of pounds for dozens of charities.

Club runners from the Shropshire Shufflers, Oswestry Olympians, Wrekin Road Runners, the Ellesmere Trismark club and others clocked some remarkable times.

Others were simply glad to finish.

Two of the quickest times for Shropshire runners were recorded by Telford Athletic Club's Claire Martin and Wayne Dashpur.

Wayne finished in just two hours and 39 minutes and Claire in two hours and 50 minutes.

One of the oldest Shropshire competitors was pensioner Peter Booth, a member of the Shropshire Shufflers.

He finished 21st in his category, men aged 65 to 69, with a time of three hours 41 minutes.

There were impressive fifth place positions for two other Shropshire Shufflers, Val Swingler, in the 45 to 49 women category, in two hours and 59 minutes, and Libby Collinson, 55 to 59 women, in three hours and 29 minutes.

Ellesmere runner Mark Sobczak, 45, completed his first marathon raising funds for the Orthopaedic Hospital's bone cancer appeal.

He said: "I was really nervous and stressed the day before and felt such a mixture of excitement, tiredness and achievement after the event.

"I was overawed by the crowds and the noise. There was absolutely fantastic support all the way around. Someone noticed my T-shirt in the crowd and shouted 'I'm from Oswestry'. I've no idea who they were."

Others running for the bone cancer appeal included three members of staff from the hospital: Harriet Page ran in three hours, 49 minutes; Huw Williams in four hours 10 minutes and Curtis Langley, four hours and 18 minutes.

Severn Hospice was another charity benefitting. One runner, James Keay from Shrewsbury, has raised at least £5,500. He completed the course in four hours 30 minutes.

Mr Keay, owner of the Select A Skip company on the Oxon business park, said it was good to be supporting the hospice, which is one of its neighbours.

"I raised money for the hospice in 1988 when, as a 16-year-old, I cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats.

"The marathon was a real roller coaster of emotions. The highlight was coming over Tower Bridge and seeing the crowds swell to about 15 deep."

Daniel Myatt, fundraising officer at Severn Hospice, said: "We were lucky enough to have a team of 13 runners take part in this year's Virgin Money London Marathon who are on track to raise a remarkable £25,000 to support the vital work of the hospice.

"On behalf of our patients and everyone at Severn Hospice I would like to say a big thank you to our dedicated team of runners who have done something truly amazing for their local hospice."

West End performer Grace McKee raised more than £2,200 for Fight for Sight, a charity that pioneers research into eye conditions.

The 25-year-old, from Sutton Heights in Telford, who is currently on tour starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical Cats, suffers from an inherited incurable eye disease that affects her central vision. She completed the marathon in four hours and 44 minutes. Wrekin Road Runner Amanda Lysons finished in a time of four hours and 33 minutes, raising £1,300 for charity Cardiac Risk In The Young.

Another Wrekin Road Runner, Alan Palin, finished in three hours and 54 minutes.

Running her first marathon was Debbie Pierce, going from "couch potato" to runner in six months with thanks to support from Wrekin Road Runners.

Debbie was running in aid of the charity Whizz Kids and finished in four hours and 54 minutes.

How fast did our county runners complete the course?

Shropshire Shufflers: Peter Booth, 3:41:16; Elizabeth Jane Coles 5:36:06; Libby Collinson, 3:29:07; Nicola Davies, 3:19:45; Paul Gresty, 3:17:47; Lee Alastair Pearce, 4:40:02; Val Swingler, 2:59:54; Norman Titley, 3:17:50.

Trismart: Graham Smart, 3:01:50.

Wrekin Road Runners: Bob Follows, 4:01:39; Ross Jackson, 3:59:49; Amanda Lysons, 4:33:17; Alan Palin, 3:54:44; Darren Poulton, 4:02:11; Wendy Scott, 3:53:37; Joanne Wilkinson, 5:28:10; Neil Jefferson, 3.33.58.

Oswestry Olympians: Simon Barkley, 3:21:58; Julie Davies, 3:56:10; Amanda Jane Fitton, 4:12:58; Simon Hibbott, 4:37:10; Robert James Whittall, 3:25:27.

Whitchurch Whippets: Charlotte Wainwright, 3:35:25; David Wilson, 2:53:14.

Maldwyn Harriers: Martin Copus, 3:08:49; Sharon Lloyd, 4:26:54; Richard Wild, 4:51:47. Telford AC: Wayne Dashper, 2:39:24; Claire Martin, 2:50:54.

Market Drayton: Daniel Glover, 3:01:10; Ian Grandfield, 4:27:18; Jo Grandfield, 3:52:30; Jane Morris, 3:56:36; John Price, 3:51:59.