By 6.30pm on Sunday 34,420 runners had crossed the finish line, making it the third largest race since the event started in 1981.

The Courier spoke to participants from Leamington and surrounding areas, who took part in the 26-mile challenge.

Leamington Sainsbury's grocery manager Mark Angove ran the marathon in aid of Myton Hospice following his mother's recent stay there.

He ran a personal best of 3hrs 30mins, which was well within his four-hour target. Mark's colleagues will help boost his fundraising total by holding a non-uniform event on St George's Day.

Ian Hartland from Harbury raised between £1,100 and £1,200 for the British Heart Foundation. He clocked a time of 4hrs 46mins.

Warwick Tennis Club members Lizzie Cooke and Ian McGivern completed the marathon together in just under 4hrs 30mins.

After the race they said their training over the last six months had been tough. Lizzie and Ian raised more than £5,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

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Law student Marianne Russell, who works at solicitors Wright Hassall in Leamington, completed the race in 6hrs 38mins. She chose to run on behalf of Arthritis Care as several members of her family and a close friend suffer from the condition.

The 25-year-old said: "It's the first race I've ever run. What kept me going was the thought that it was only one day of pain for me, but arthritis sufferers are in pain every day."

So far Marianne has raised around £1,600 and hopes to make £2,000 by June

Princethorpe College sixth form student Tom Redman ran the race for the first time.

At 18-years-old he was one of the youngest competitors and finished 141st in his age group. He ran alongside his father Gary and together they finished in 4 hrs 39mins, raising more than £2,000 for their chosen charity Dreams Come True.

Teachers from the college also took part. Simon Robertson finished in 3 hrs 44mins and Emma Litterick in 3hrs 27mins.

Leamington vet Ross Butler completed the race in aid of Age Concern Warwickshire for whom his daughter Alex is a volunteer. The 46-year-old raised £966 and finished in a time of 3hrs 45mins.

Heath Lambert, from Southam, ran a personal best and raised £600 for Myton Hospice. The Tool Connection's purchase ledger manager knocked 28 minutes of his previous time by clocking 3hrs 17mins and finishing 2,607th.