MARATHON 2015: Congratulations to Dorset's fantastic runners

As reported in the Echo, people from across the county took part in the London Marathon on behalf of charities such as Weldmar, Island Community Action and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.

Portland runner Graham Butler not only played his part in the London Marathon but also helped another runner cross the finish line.

Graham ran for the Lullaby Trust and raised £8403 for the charity. On the way he saw Nicky Lacey struggling and urged her to carry on - the two runners then crossed the line together.

Laura Miller and a team of five other runners raised £16,000 for Anthony Nolan.

Miriam Roche, the aunt of Charlotte Blackman who was killed in a West Dorset rockfall in 2012, helped keep her memory alive by running the marathon this year.

Miriam completed the marathon in four hours and 56 minutes, raising money for a memorial fund set up in Charlotte's honour.

The 38,000 marathon runners faced warm temperatures with thermometers at 12 degrees Celsius in Greenwich when the race began at 10am.

There was no sign of the sunny spells enjoyed over the past week but runners did not let lower temperatures dampen their spirits of the famous race.

The London Marathon women's race was won by Ethiopia's Tigist Tufa, who finished in two hours 23 minutes just 18 seconds in front of Kenya's two-time London winner Mary Keitany.

In the men's race, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge beat Wilson Kipsang, the 2012 and 2014 winner, with world record holder Dennis Kimetto third.

MARIO Ambrico completed the marathon in four hours and 13 minutes.

The Weymouth resident said: “I originally wanted to break the four hour mark but I'm so pleased with how I did. This was my first marathon but it is something I've wanted to do for a long time.”

Mario raised £1300 for The Front Skate Park in Weymouth, smashing his target of £500.

BEN Hart took on the marathon for the third time this year to raise money for a deaf-blind charity.

The Dorset County Council contract manager, of Charlton Down, raised money for Sense, a charity that has been running since 1955.

The 35-year-old completed the marathon in six hours and 12 minutes.

DORSET County Council's chief executive joined runners in the marathon in a bid to prevent deaths and injuries on the road.

Debbie Ward, 53 finished the marathon in four hours and 30 minutes to raise money for LV streetwise, which works across Dorset to prevent and reduce deaths and injuries on the road.

Debbie said: "It was a fantastic experience, I've had great support from colleagues, friends and family.”

THE parents of an ill little boy took on the marathon in tribute to their son.

Naomi and Martin Patterson raised money for Meningitis Now, a charity that helps their son George who was diagnosed with pneumococcal meningitis before his first birthday.

Naomi completed the marathon in five hours and 42 minutes while Martin finished in four hours and 18 minutes.

The couple said that their son's ordeal is both hard and heartbreaking, but they are eager to leave behind a legacy for George.

A MAN who beat cancer and climbed Mount Snowdon can now add another achievement to his list.

Simon Crofts, 37, who grew up in Broadmayne before leaving to go to university, completed the marathon in four hours and 20 minutes.

He has raised £1650 for Phabkids, a charity that encourages children with and without learning disabilities to enjoy experiences together.

He said: “I had a fever during the week and a bad cough, so I'm so pleased I made it.”

THE aunt of Charlotte Blackman who was killed in a West Dorset rockfall in 2012 helped keep her memory alive by running the marathon this year.

Miriam Roche completed the marathon in four hours and 56 minutes, raising money for a memorial fund set up in Charlotte's honour.

She said: “The day itself was very emotional and I was pleased to be given the chance to run the marathon in Charlotte's memory.

“It was a brilliant experience and one I will never forget.”

ANTHONY Storey completed the marathon in three hours and 41 minutes raising £800 for Dorset charity Julia's House.

Mr Storey, landlord of The George Inn on Portland, took part in his last London Marathon 17 years ago.

He said: “I was elated to finish when I did and beat my target; thank you to everyone for their support.”

LAURA Miller and a team of five other runners raised £16,000 for Anthony Nolan.

Laura completed the marathon in six hours and 30 minutes with a team of five other runners - Alex Miller, Sarah Miller, Clare Salina, Wendy Jeavons and Dave Brindle.

She said finishing as part of a group was 'excellent' and added: “Anthony Nolan had some of the most fantastic cheer teams that kept us all going.”

RUNNING enthusiast Stephen Wiles took part in his first ever London Marathon this year raising £600 for charity.

Mr Wiles, 35 of Weymouth, completed the marathon in three hours 12 minutes and said he felt 'over the moon' to cross the finish line.

As a member of Portland running club and operating department practitioner at Dorset County Hospital, Stephen raised money for Prostate Cancer Research Centre.

He said: “Everyone was really supportive and it was great to have my family there cheering me on.”

DORSET County Hospital staff member Karen Croad ran the marathon to directly support patients in the hospital's cancer wards.

Karen completed the challenge in four hours and 27 minutes and raised £1000 for the Fortuneswell Cancer Trust.

She said: “It was very tough but a piece of banana at the 20 mile mark made all the difference.

“I had a calf muscle twinge for the last four miles, but it held up. The thoughts of my sponsors and their loved ones kept me going when I needed support.”

NOT only did Graham Butler play his part in the London Marathon but he also helped another runner cross the finish line.

Portland resident Graham ran for the Lullaby Trust, which supports families bereaved through Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

He said: “I finished in five hours and 16 minutes and raised £8403 for the charity, the second highest ever for a marathon runner.

“I crossed the finish line hand in hand with Nicky Lacey, another woman running for the Trust. I saw her struggling on the way and we then continued together.

“Thank you for all the support, especially from Portland's Real Estate Bureau.”

DESPITE spending the second half of his day in hospital, Ricky Farley raised more than £800 for the STEPS charity by taking part in the London Marathon.

The 26-year-old had to pull out of the challenge at the nine mile mark after his shoulder popped out of place.

Ricky set off on the challenge on crutches for the charity, which aims to support people affected by clubfoot, hip dysplasia or any other lower limb condition.

He said: “I had to go to hospital but that hasn't put me off running again.

“I was pleased to get as far as I did and the support from everyone has been brilliant. Thank you to everyone who donated.”

SUSAN O'Flanagan completed the marathon in five hours and 52 minutes in aid of the YMCA.

As trustee executive of the Dorchester YMCA, this was Susan's second marathon in five years. She has raised £700 for the organisation and said she needed to 'put her money where her mouth is' by setting a fitness example.

Susan told the Echo: “My objective was to complete the marathon and have a fantastic time, which I did.

“Along the way a Peterborough man told me how the YMCA had helped him growing up, and we then finished the marathon hand in hand.”

CONSERVATIVE South Dorset parliamentary candidate Richard Drax completed the course in six hours and 18 minutes, describing it as 'a race of two halves'.

He said: "I did the first half in just over two hours but then I had a knee injury and was held up for 50 minutes while the ambulance crews checked me over so I came in at the end.

"I got round and that's the main thing, and I had my two daughters and my wife urging me on.

"It was great fun; we've raised about £6,000 for ICA which I'm chuffed with. It's such a wonderful charity and then need the help.”