‘The noisy crowds had a huge impact on getting us to the finish’

With thousands of pounds riding on them completing the 26 miles around the capital’s streets the pressure was on to make the finish line in The Mall.

Andrew Wrath credited the enormous crowds for helping him make the final miles down Birdcage Walk, past Buckingham Palace and across that finish line.

Andrew, who has raised almost £4,500 for Hope for Justice, which aims to end modern day slavery, completed the 26 miles in four hours and 30 minutes.

He told the Melton Times: “The sun came out in London and it turned out to be an unseasonably warm day.

“I held a good pace for the first 20 miles and then the last six miles were just a case of trying to put one foot in front of another.

“The crowds were incredible, and very noisy, and I would estimate they were the largest ever seen at the London Marathon - from 20 miles they had a huge impact on getting runners to the finish.”

Andrew thanked everyone who had sponsored him for the event - go to https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AndrewWrath/2 to sponsor him.

Michael Cooke and Harry Chatfeild-Roberts raised more than £10,000 for the Belvoir Cricket and Countryside Trust with their runs in the London Marathon.

Harry was the first of the duo to finish, in 3hrs 59mins 25secs with Michael, the owner of Melton Sports and a former editor of the Melton Times, coming home in 4.23.01.

Michael said: “We were both going well until the latter stages.

“The last five miles was really tough but you remember why you are doing it and the crowds along the entire length of the course were out of this world.

“It was an amazing experience and we wish to thank all our sponsors for their generosity and messages of support.”

To sponsor them for their charity, which aims to inspire children to live healthy, active lives through sport and outdoor education, go to

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HarryChatfeildRoberts or

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/michael-cooke-SAVMLMBONDS333-2020-212247

Melton woman, Emma Gardner (32) ran the race in 4hrs 35mins and 44secs and raised £3,280 for the Together for Short Lives charity, which supports children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

Emma, a customer supply chain manager for Premier Foods, said: “I am honoured to have been able to run for the charity and I want to say a big thank you to everyone who sponsored me.

“It was an amazing experience and, despite feeling a little sore now, I loved every minute of it.”

Go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-gardner01/ to sponsor Emma.

Brentingby Gin owner, Bruce Midgley, has terrible blisters and both legs strapped up after finishing his marathon in a gruelling 7hrs 9mins.

His training had been hampered by tearing a bicep muscle but he was determined to get through it to raise around £6,000 for the Matt Hampson Foundation, which supports people with life-changing injuries.

Bruce told the Melton Times: “It’s mind over matter and the support on the street is what gets everyone through.

“For someone of my size and being an ex-rugby front rower it’s incredibly tough.

“One has to prepare properly and I definitely didn’t.

“I was never going to fail though and I would have finished even if it took me 12 hours.

“I am just grateful to tick something off the bucket list.”

Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bruce-midgley1 to sponsor Bruce, who has also brought out a special Runners Ruin gin with sales proceeds to the Matt Hampson Foundation too.

Rearsby 56-year-old, Richard Palmer, was inspired to run Sunday’s London Marathon, by his late school friend, Andrew Ramen, who died from an aggressive brain tumour in January 2019.

They had both been students in the same class at Ratcliffe College, in Ratcliffe on the Wreake, and remained good friends.

Richard, a chartered accountant, has run marathons before, and his efforts at the weekend have led to more than £3,500 being raised for Brain Tumour Research.

After finishing in 4.49.18, he said: “I’ve done a few big running events over the years.

“Last year I completed the virtual London Marathon when the physical event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

“I started training for the October London Marathon in June and managed to stick to my training plan, which has included lots of yoga as well as running.

“All of that helped me to get around the course on the day, along with the crowds of supporters, who were just incredible.”

Go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/richard-palmer24 to sponsor Richard.

Kieron Clayton was one of Sunday’s participants who ran a ‘virtual London Marathon’ - he did his along the canal path from Hickling to Woolsthorpe.

The 35-year-old, from Asfordby, completed his 26 miles in 3hrs 59mins 29secs and will receive an official medal for his efforts.

He said: “The worst part by far, was getting cramp in both legs at mile 18 so I had to alter my running style so I could complete the run.

“It meant I had to slow down and walk occasionally and even stop to stretch.

“A friend of mine cycled the last couple of miles with me to push me to the end.

“I was also greeted with a cheering squad comprising of friends and family at the end which was a nice way to finish as I wasn’t expecting to see anyone.”

Kieron has raised over £1,000 for Melton Learning Hub - go to https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/MeltonLearningHub to sponsor him.

He hopes to be pounding the streets of the capital next year after entering the ballot for a guaranteed place for the 2022 event.