Runners from the Melton area make marathon effort in London for charity

The dynamic duo completed the course dressed as Batman and Robin in four hours 45 minutes to help raise funds and awareness of cystic fibrosis - a condition which effects four of the students at John Ferneley.

Joe, who was taught PE by Paul while studying ay John Ferneley and who is currently in his final year of study at the University of Leicester, managed to the cross the line only six weeks after having his appendix out and despite a lack of training.

Paul (aka Robin) said: “Highlights of the race were the incredible support from the crowd all the way round as well as being interviewed by Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis live on the BBC at 17 miles.”

The caped crusaders have managed to raise over £8,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust from a variety of events and with the support from John Ferneley College making it their charity of the year.

Joe was inspired to start the fundraising venture by the Roberts family, of Asfordby Hill, who have raised over £100,000 for the cause. Nigel and Natasha Roberts and their twin sons James and Oliver, who are cystic fibrosis sufferers, were there to cheer Joe and Paul on as part of the twins’ birthday celebrations in London.

Other local runners who pushed through the pain barrier to complete the marathon included Old Dalby man Lee Quinn who was running to raise funds for and awareness of the National Autistic Society.

Lee was spurred on to run the marathon as his youngest daughter Francesca (3) has autism, meaning she struggles with communication and social interaction every day.

Lee, who crossed the line in four hours 15 minutes, raised nearly £2,000 for the society which provides valuable support to families such as his own.

He said: “It was a hard race. A re-occurring knee injury flared up at the 10-mile mark so I had to dig deep to make it round the course however I went through the pain barrier and completed it.”

Friends Emma Stevens, of Asfordby Hill, and Sarah Foode, of Asfordby Valley, completed their first London Marathon in aid of the National Eczema Society. Emma and Sarah, whose daughters go to Asfordby Hill Primary School, have managed to hit their £3,000 fundraising target and crossed the line together in five hours 21 minutes.

Emma said: “It just seems a blur now but the atmosphere was amazing. We were happy just to finish and cross the line together.”

Michelle Farlow, of Melton, ran her second London Marathon in aid of the Dogs Trust. At the time of going to press she had raised nearly £900 via her online fundraising page.