A LONDON marathon runner is on course to raise more than £6,300 for St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich.Richard Smith, 41, a former Star reporter who now works for the Star's sister paper the East Anglian Daily Times, completed the 26.

A LONDON marathon runner is on course to raise more than £6,300 for St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich.

Richard Smith, 41, a former Star reporter who now works for the Star's sister paper the East Anglian Daily Times, completed the 26.2 mile course in three hours, eight minutes, 25 seconds which was 22 minutes faster compared with his previous marathon four years ago. He came in the top five per cent of all finishers.

Richard has handed over £3,329.30 to the hospice. Archant, publishers of both newspapers, have a charity scheme to match pound for pound the amount employees raise up to a maximum of £3,000 and it is hoped the company will award this money in June.

Richard, of Woodbridge, said: "When I started collecting money in January it quickly became evident what a good name the hospice has in east Suffolk. People were very willing to give to such a good cause and I am delighted with the excellent and generous financial support given by many companies, clubs and individuals.

"They were also perhaps willing to donate to see me push myself through the winter months in many hours of training for the event and the pain barrier on the day. I covered more than 840 miles, almost the equivalent distance of running from Land's End to John O'Groats.

"The unpredictability of the marathon did catch me out. I suffered from a blister from as early as the fourth mile, altered my running style slightly to cope and ended up with cramp in both thighs for the last six miles just when it looked as though I would duck under the three hour mark. Fortunately, St John Ambulance were on hand after I crossed the finishing line to give some treatment."

Anyone who would like to raise money for the hospice can contact the fundraising team on 01473 723600.