More marathon heroes

MORE and more stories of Suffolk runners who took part in this year's London Marathon continue to pour into our office.

Three more athletes braved the arduous 26-mile route to raise money for worthy causes.

Jaffa jogger Matt Blackman achieved his ambition of finishing the course in under three hours – and helped raise nearly £1,000 for charity in the process.

The 33-year-old, who lives in the Stoke Park area of town, was running in aid of the Rhythm of Life Heart Appeal.

He said: "Ever since I started I wanted to break the three hour barrier."

Sunday's event was his fourth marathon and his third in the capital. His time of two hours and 56 minutes is nearly an hour faster than his first attempt.

"The last two miles were painful but I knew I was about five minutes ahead of last year's time."

He has decided to stop doing marathons for the foreseeable future to spend more time with his family but will still head to London next year.

He continued: "The crowds are incredible. The friend I was training with had to pull out a few weeks before the event but was there to support me.

"So next year I will go down and give people my support from the sidelines."

Washbrook man Jim Farrow said this year would be his first and last marathon.

He sustained a knee injury after 19 miles and hobbled home in four hours and 37 minutes, raising about £500 for VICTA (Visually Impaired Children Taking Action).

He said: "The crowd kept shouting my number whenever I was about to walk so you obliged to keep going."

The 38-year-old also recalled passing former heavyweight boxer Frank Bruno towards the end. "I gave him a pat on the back and said come on Frank, and he raised his hand," he added.

Christina Ennis, also from Ipswich, took part in the event in aid of Cancer Research.

She finished the gruelling course in four hours and 17 minutes and raised £300 for the charity.

"It was such a brilliantly organised event, I was really impressed, I may even do it again next year," she said.