Oli Watts (left):

"It was very tough.  I was pleased to finish. I was doing well at

the start but struggled after 20 miles. Crowd were fantastic.

It was emotional because of Huw's partner"

Huw Arthur (right):

"It was hard work. Not sure if I would do it again.

It was a mental battle."

Chris Radmann:

"It was tough in a costume - very hot. I took part with a group from Lord Wandsworth College. I am a friend of Edward Walker and I taught Sebastian. We trained together in a group and in the common room. The parental support has been fantastic as well as support in the community."

Rodger Morley:

"I would like to say thanks to all the CRY supporters in the crowds who gave me the very much needed encouragement from mile 18 onwards......I can honestly say it's the hardest thing I've ever done - but what a sense of achievement as I crossed the line!

As an own place runner I chose CRY in remembrance of Lewis Marsh who tragically died at the age of 13 in 1998, and wanted to contribute whatever I could to this fantastic charity.

The past few months have been a roller-coaster of emotions, from excitement looking forward to the big day, to doubting whether you've done enough training to carry you through to the end, but even though 1 day later I can't walk up or down stairs, and my back is severely sunburned, I wouldn't change any of it, it's been a fantastic journey. Well done to all."

Paul Durbin:

"I made it but boy was it hot. It was a fantastic experience

and the sore legs and blisters were worth it. The support from

the crowd was amazing and I felt the support of everyone who sponsored me every step of the way.

I'd like to thank you all for your help in achieving this outstanding figure, it has exceeded what I ever thought was possible and I still have another £1000 to collect from Citrix.

Despite being beaten by a couple Bakewell tarts I am very happy to have finished in 4:51:02

I was inspired to run by the loss of my cousin Adrian. His birthday was 30th April and he would have been 23 years old.  I am honoured that I was able do this in his memory."

Rebecca Maisey:

"It was my first and maybe last marathon. A fantastic experience. There was a team of 6 of us running in memory of Duncan Mulholland, our friend. He was a very close friend of my boyfriend. It was very emotional last night when we were preparing for the race today.

Today I was just focusing on finishing. I was anxious to finish.

I was feeling sick in the Mall. It was brilliant to have so many cheering me on. Saw lots of CRY shirts.

The 4 months of training was really long and hard in rough weather but worth it."

Michael Quinney:

"Enjoyed it in a funny sort of way. I'm pleased I did it. The last 200 yards were very emotional - I was crying. I was running in memory of David who died aged 26 last January.

Before training for this I couldn’t run 200 yards! Some friends thought, at 57, I had lost the plot. I am a plumber and couldn't do all the training so had only run 15 miles before today, but I was so determined.

I enjoyed the crowd interaction. The water ran out after 20 miles. I flew down with a party of 19, they saved me with water at 22 miles. Really brilliant."

Danny Hampson:

"I loved the experience, but after 14 miles my back went so started to feel annoyed at the crowd!"

Sarah Harvey:

"I really enjoyed it, it was much easier than I thought it would be.  I hated the training, so I'm not sure if I would do it again."

Alexander Feldman:

"It was great fun. I really enjoyed it. It was my first marathon. The heat was not as oppressive as I thought it would be.

I had a good day and look forward to doing it again."

Nick Bareham:

"I finished! Unfortunately I injured my knee at 13 miles, so ended up speed-limping the second-half. Finished in just

over 5 hours in the end. Won't be running for a while!"

James Cooke:

"I am knackered. It's my first marathon and I would be very surprised if I did it again!  Duncan was my best mate,

we were in the same football team."

Mary-Lou Gravestock:

"Thrilled to finish in less than 5 hours. I was worried about

the heat but drank a lot. The crowd were fantastic. 

I met lots of CRY runners."

Jonathan Wallace:

"It was the worst thing I have ever done. At least that what it

feels like at the moment. I don’t think I will do it again!"

Chris Disley:

"It was the most demanding thing I have ever done. The heat affected me.  Maybe half marathons in the future!"

Mark Jones:

"It really hurts, but it was worth it.  It was my first marathon.

I really enjoyed it and would recommend it."

Humphrey Hardwicke:

"It was fine. Did it last year and managed to knock 20 minutes

off my time.  I would like to run next year."

Kelvin Chase:

"I wouldn’t mind doing it again! My legs seized up during

the last two miles."

Melissa Rambridge:

"My back is hurting and the last 5 miles were the worst.

Would do it again."

Andrew Varley:

"It was good, though I was stiff as a board and my hip was killing me!  It was my first marathon.

Jonny Lewis is a good friend - I played cricket with him. I was taking part in his brother Huw's memory. I had lots of friends supporting me. I felt very emotional when I saw Jonny.

The training was a bit fragmented - I got married recently - although I tried to keep running on honeymoon!"

Shane Mott:

"It was the toughest one so far. I lost about 3/4 of an hour. It was too hot. I have done it three times now.

It was really tough because of the heat and very emotional - if anything, even more than before. I was crying up to the finish line, I couldn't hold back the tears.

The heat was massive! I caught a guy in front of me in the Mall as he went down. I trained very hard but there must have been a lot of casualties today."

Stefano Zammuto:

"One of the best things I have ever done. I would do it again.

I have done half marathons before such as the Great North Run, but never a full 26 miles. I was doing it for my

friend Carl Stubbings who died last year."

Stefano had a photo of Carl strapped to his arm which he said gave him the inspiration to cross the finishing line.

Andrew Bathurst:

"I am mentally, bit more physically and emotionally shattered.

I cannot believe how hard it was. I trained hard for it but nothing prepared me for how gruelling it is - but the event is without parallel to anything I have ever done.

The support was extraordinary. Would love to have enjoyed

 the last 5 miles, but I just wanted to cross the line!

 I was happy to finish."

Mark & Helen Knight:

"We lost our son to a heart defect at 3 days old, 17 years ago.  I was interviewed by the BBC in the heart costume.  The interview was shown on TV and I received texts and phone

calls from friends.

Royal Bank of Scotland will match what we have raised."

Harriet Colvin:

"Surreal to have done it. I would have crawled round if I had to, so knew I would do it. I was best friends with Laura at Primary School and so wanted to do it for her. I felt very emotional , especially when training for the run. I feel I have really

done something now. I have done my run for Laura"

James Brown:

"I had been talking to myself for the last 5 miles, so by the time I finished I had definitely lost the plot. I was exhausted, riddled with cramp, and very very pleased I didn’t have to run any further. I sat down on my on and blocked everything out, and thought of Katrina for a few minutes.

I saw so many groups of supporters on the way round and some groups 3 times! They were a huge help, especially at

22 miles when I had forgotten how to run. The crowd were amazing. I had been told to wear my name on my shirt,

but had no idea how supportive the crowd would be."

Neil Murphy:

"It was fantastic. I was thrilled to take part. The 5 months of training was was well worth it. I waited so long for today.

I wasn't at all concerned about the time. I was running for my brother-in-law Andrew Coles - I wanted it to be his day not mine so did not set myself a target.

The crowd were absolutely fantastic - it gave me a real lift. It was my first marathon. The biggest buzz was seeing money come through on my website - it affected me more than anything."

Tom Hicks:

"It was really good to have done it. I enjoyed every minute. Really glad I didn't wear a costume but all credit to those who did."

Kathryn Murtagh:

"I was very disappointed with my time but raising money for CRY makes up for that. Malcolm, my sister's husband, died aged 28 in October 2006."

Simon Edgar:

"I finished my first marathon in 3hrs 30mins so I'm pleased with my time and feel with the experience gained I can improve upon that next time.  The day was very tough, as I'm sure you've heard, and my legs are in pieces but I definitely think it's something I will do again in the future."

Edward Walker:

 "I feel fine and I enjoyed it. I was injured, having damaged ligaments after a 20 mile run, so I ran for part of the course and walked the rest. I was just pleased to get round.

It was an emotional event. I though a lot of Seb.

Relieved to have made it."

Mike Aylott:

"I am never going to do it again!.....but I said that last year.

It was really hot, especially in a costume, but the showers

en route helped a lot . I felt tired after 13 miles.

I felt honoured to have so many friends, colleagues and

family supporting me"

Alison Pearson:

"Wow, what an amazing experience I had on Sunday. I did it in 5hrs 14mins. It was pure agony, but incredible as well. The morale between the other CRY runners I saw was amazing.

Leah [Rowland] completed the course in 5hrs 37mins.

We have been emailing and texting each other, but will hopefully meet up when we can both walk normally again!"

Julie Alcock:

"This was my first London (or any) Marathon. I ran as
an own place runner for CRY in memory of my cousin
Ryan Darby. I had a fantastic day, the atmosphere was
incredible.  Although it was very hot I managed to get
round in just over 6 hours.

I also raised over £2000 for CRY."

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