West Sussex runners go the extra distance

Nina, 28, from Broadwater, was forced to start her endurance test early after the train in front of her one on the Docklands Light Railway broke down.

She had to get off her train at South Quay on the Isle of Dogs and jog the rest of the way to the starting line in St James's Park, bringing her total run to 31.2 miles.

She said: "I was really worried I wasn't going to make it to the starting line on time and I ended up right at the back. But it was brilliant.

"I wasn't sure how I was going to manage the last six miles but the crowd really kept me going.

"Next time I want to do it in fancy dress."

Despite her extra mileage, Nina managed to complete the course in five hours and 18 minutes, raising more than 3,000 for Mencap.

Liz Mitchell, 39, from Pulborough, raised more than 2,400 for Children with Leukaemia, and while finding the heat tough, still enjoyed the day.

She said: "The people were fantastic. It was certainly an experience."

Elizabeth Fairs, 24, from Goring Road, Goring, completed the run in four hours and 46 minutes.

The current Worthing Swimming Club diving champion was running for the British Heart Foundation because her father, John, and uncle, David, have had heart surgery.

She said: "Boy, what a day. I ran the London Marathon and I have a medal to prove it."

She raised more than 500.

Storrington-based nurse Carolyn Wilson, 48, is still on a high from the event.

She said: "It was a most exhilarating experience.

"Some of it is hazy but I never stopped and that's what I'm most proud of.

"I'm going to wear my medal for at least a week."

Carolyn had a target of 1,225 for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf but the total is growing and she is now hoping for around 2,000.

Donations are still being accepted at www.justgiving.com/carolynrunning

Simon Hills, 23, from South Farm Road, Worthing, is also hoping for more donations at www.justgiving.com/simonhills

He has raised more than 600 for WaterAid and completed the race in four hours and 14 minutes.

He said: "I am really happy with my time, especially considering the heat on the day, which made it such hard work.

"The best part by far was Tower Bridge with the crowds and the sights (and before the real pain) '“ simply fantastic, although I don't think I stopped smiling for the first 13 miles thanks to the amazing atmosphere and crowd."

Worthing High science teacher, Jason Hopkins, 35, completed the marathon in five hours and 29 minutes with his brother Richard, and raised 2,000 for the charity, Christian Aid.

Peter Jenkins, of Greystone Avenue, Worthing, was supporting the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre '“ a web-based charity.

He said: "We are past the 2,000 mark, and with gift aid will be looking at more than 2,500."

He completed the marathon in five hours 20 minutes.

Sarah Kingston, 33, from Broadwater, was running the marathon for St Barnabas House in Durrington, where her father, David Whitehead, died just over a year ago.

She finished in three hours and 22 minutes.

She said: "The marathon was really tough this year in the hot temperatures, I suffered with stomach and leg cramps much of the way and was forced to slow down.

"I didn't match my personal best but was pleased to just finish.

"The amazing crowds and the thought of the money I was raising for the hospice kept me going."

Debbie Ramsey, 43, of George V Avenue, Goring, supported the Royal National Institute for the Blind, with her run of six hours and eight minutes.

With a run of six hours and 53 minutes, Matt Croker, 30, from Storrington, raised money for leukaemia research '“ a charity close to his heart because his father, Alan, died from the disease last year.

Austin Houliston and Mary Crabb, both from the Worthing Striders running club, also completed the race.

Austin, of Birkdale Road, Worthing, ran in aid of Chestnut Tree House children's hospice and finished in four hours and 47 minutes.

Mary, of Carvel Way, Littlehampton, crossed the line in four hours and 20 minutes for St Barnabas' and Chestnut Tree House.

Brian Friend, a 53-year-old taxi driver from Shoreham, running for Alzheimer's Research Trust, finished in three hours and 21 minutes.

Dr Anja Goosens, from Lancing, completed the course in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, finishing with a time of six hours 15 minutes.

Unfortunately, John Phillips, who was planning to run for Storrington-based charity, the Mary How Trust for cancer prevention, had to pull out of the race.

Four days before the marathon, John, 23, from Midhurst, was diagnosed with glandular fever and forbidden to run by his doctor.

John has been guaranteed a place in next year's marathon, and all his sponsors generously transferred their donations to the charity's other runner, Laura Bainbridge, who completed the race.

In total, the pair raised more than 2,100.