In the picture to the right is six runners who helped raise £20,000 for the St Clare Hospice.

Colin Taylor, second on the right, of Great Dunmow, completed the route despite falling over at a water station.

Kevin Mosby, not pictured in the photo, from Stansted, decided to run the race after his father in law David was cared for by the hospice’s specialist nurses at home.

Simon Childs, far right, of Loughton, finished the route behind a runner dressed in a Lenny the Lion costume, a fact he is still trying to get over today.

First- timer Ruth Moyler, left, of Epping, walked the route in 6 hours 30mins and still managed to overtake runners.

Daniel Smith, of Bishop’s Stortford said the crowds were amazing and Ben Millard, also of Bishop’s Stortford, was chuffed to be handed a drink en route by Arsenal and England footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain!

Matthew Ball, formerly of Bishop’s Stortford, who ran in memory of his mum, Dawn, admitted the last six miles were a struggle.

Kat Martyn, of Bishop’s Stortford, ran her first marathon in memory of her dad Paul, who died at St Clare in 2005.

Other runners who raised money for the hospice are: Stephen Liddicoat, whose company Falcon Business Supplies has made St Clare its charity of the year? Kenny Smith, Joe Hance, five time marathon runner Susan Tweddell, Colin Moody, David Baldwin, Sheila Kennedy and Michelle Aitken.

To help with their preparation we ran information sessions, assisted by Paralympic runner.