Runners do their bit as they hit the streets of London (From Ledbury Reporter)

Runners do their bit as they hit the streets of London

1:10pm Sunday 29th April 2012 in News By Tarik Al Rasheed

MALVERN and Ledbury runners joined thousands of fund-raisers from all over the country in the London Marathon at the weekend.

Among them was Simon Grundy, from Much Marcle, who completed the race barefoot in four hours and 39 minutes and dedicated his success to the memory of his father Roy, who died just a few days earlier.

The 37-year-old decided to enter the marathon when Roy was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year. He had hoped his dad would live long enough to watch him run, but he passed away the Saturday before (April 14), aged 77.

Mr Grundy was determined to go ahead in his memory, and he has raised more than £3,000 for the charity Brain Tumour UK, with more money still coming in all the time.

“It was an extremely emotional day and I just kept welling up throughout the race, so I was glad it was a bright day and I had my sunglasses on,” he said.

“But it could not have gone any better. My mum and wife were watching and I had friends supporting me in the crowd, and I’d like to thank the people of Much Marcle who have sent so many lovely messages and really rallied round since dad passed away.”

Linda Blake, deputy clerk at Malvern Town Council, completed the race in four hours and 51 seconds.

She said: “I was aiming for four hours 20 minutes so I was delighted. It was a really great experience. The support from the crowd is amazing.

“Coming along the Embankment, I couldn’t hear my iPod because the shouting was so loud.”

She has raised about £750 for St Richard's Hospice and Children with Cancer, with money still coming in.

Retired Bromyard headteacher Pat Jewkes was inspired by sponsorship from former colleagues as she completed a personal record time of five hours 21 minutes.

The 59-year-old, who is president of Hartlebury Women’s Institute, finished 250th in her age class for women, and was proud to have recorded a faster time than MP Ed Balls. She hopes to raise £600 for the Flying Doctor emergency medical service.

“Afterwards I said 'never again', but I might change my mind,” she said.

Malvern Splash swimming instructor James Price, 30, finished in four hours 35 minutes.

He was running for Malvernbased charity ARCOS and has collected almost £500.