It was a cloudy start to the day but the rain held off until the afternoon which was a relief for everyone, especially bearing in mind the torrential rain we have had recently. In view of the anticipated rain and the difficulties running with a wet costume, we only had 3 Heart Costume runners this year - Tim Barker, Freddie Corlett and Robert Simpson.

It was an exciting and truly incredible atmosphere once again, at an event which we are delighted and proud to be a part of.

At 8.15am, Ben Robinson (CRY Fundraising Team) and Nigel Bennett (CRY volunteer) headed to the Red Start, whilst Karla Griffith (CRY myheart Coordinator) was at the Green Start, to meet our runners and wish them all good luck. Thank you to everyone who came to say hello.

As our runners gradually crossed the start line to begin their race, the suite at the Hilton Hotel, Green Park was being set up with massage couches and decorated with CRY banners, flags, bunting, and displays. 

This was done by CRY staff Tony Hill, Cara MacMillan, Matt Oliver, Mair Shepherd, Becci Upson and Rebecca Zouvani; with assistance from CRY volunteers Martin Appleby, Barbara and Jim Holland, Tina MacMillan and Nichola Dennigan, who were a great help and made the suite look very welcoming in preparation for our runners.

Volunteers Tasha and James Loder, the Desai family, and our runners’ friends and family, kindly cheered all of our runners on at miles 18 and 23 and gave them the extra boost they needed to keep going.

Chris, Katy, Oliver and Lucy Turberville, together with Bob and Carol Finch - also volunteers - were ready and waiting with friendly faces at the finish area in Waterloo Place to help our runners with those final few steps and to offer them a seat, cool drink and a snack whilst they waited for the CRY shuttle service to take them back to the Hilton.

CRY staff Tony Hill and Matt Oliver then collected our tired runners from the finish area and whisked them back to the hotel in minibus shuttles, where we were waiting to thank and congratulate them. Volunteers Lauren Gold and Marc Swan greeted each of our runners outside the hotel, and welcomed them to our reception.

The first CRY runner to cross the finish line was CJ Shepherd in an incredible time of 3 hours and 5 minutes. The first CRY runner back to the hotel was Gareth Barton who finished in 3 hours and 9 minutes. Thank you and well done on your fantastic times!

Slowly, more and more runners came back, each receiving a well deserved round of applause from staff and volunteers before being photographed, interviewed and given a well-earned leg massage. In due course the room was full of exhausted but elated runners and proud friends and family sharing the highs and lows of the day.

A huge "thank you" to our volunteer massage therapists, Hannah Baldock, Ellie Denton, Hannah Fernando, Joseph McConnell, Lisa Reid, Alexandra Rose, Rakhee Shah and Sabena Williams - whose skills were greatly needed and much appreciated by all of our runners who came back to the hotel and had been looking forward to a massage very eagerly!

Thank you so much to the 51 runners who came to the hotel to meet us, despite feeling emotionally and physically exhausted; and to all of our volunteers.

It was a challenging day for everyone, and especially difficult for those who were running in memory of someone. It was lovely to meet so many of our runners’ friends, family members and supporters too, all of whom were rightfully extremely proud of them.

We are grateful to all who have sent in photographs from the day. If you haven’t already then please do send any photos you have to events@c-r-y.org.uk – we will include as many as possible on the CRY website and / or on CRY's Flickr account. 

Volunteers Mark Wibberley, Marc Swan and Lauren Gold, and CRY staff Mair Shepherd and Ben Robinson, did a wonderful job of taking photos of CRY runners on the course and back at the hotel, and managed to get a smile out of everyone!

Thank you also to the Hilton Hotel, Green Park, for once again hosting our post-event facilities and for providing teas and coffees at a discounted rate .The thought of a lift to the hotel, a massage and shower at the end kept many of our runners going for those last few miles.

Once again, we would like to thank each and every runner for their huge efforts in completing the marathon and fundraising for CRY. Your time, effort and valued support are truly appreciated. Well done!