SEVEN Grange Farm and Dunmow Runners joined the 35,000 competitors taking part in the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday.

Dunmow Broadcast: Ian Baines, John Smith, Gillian Robertson, Nigel Richardson and David Andrews arriving for the raceIan Baines, John Smith, Gillian Robertson, Nigel Richardson and David Andrews arriving for the race (Image: Archant)

Along with other runners they wore black ribbons and observed the 30 seconds silence before the race in remembrance of the victims of the bombings at the Boston Marathon earlier last week.

The sun was already shining as runners and their supporters arrived at Greenwich to take in the atmosphere and prepare for the race.

The dry conditions and lack of wind provided ideal conditions for the event.

For Grange Farm David Andrews was fastest, finishing in 3hrs 26mins. Gillian Robertson also ran well, completing the course in 3hrs 39 mins.

Ian Baines, running to raise money for Farleigh Hospice in memory of his father-in-law, finished in 4hrs 3mins, followed by Nigel Richardson (4hrs 16mins) and John Smith (4hrs 18mins).

Sue Harrington (5hrs 12mins) was just ahead of Gavin Foster (5hrs 14mins) who was raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Research.

Following the race, the runners gathered at the nearby Roundhouse pub to celebrate their achievements.