RUNNERS will today be resting their tired limbs but counting the thousands of pounds they raised after pounding the streets of London.

Around 37,500 runners took part in the 32nd London Marathon yesterday while thousands of spectators lined the route to cheer on their loved ones.

Jen McLaren, 38, completed the 26.2-mile race in 6hr 44min 48sec having run the marathon in aid of cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

She channelled her energy into the marathon after doctors feared her three-year-old son Jude Carr, had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when he was 15 months old.

She has so far raised just under �2,300.

Eleven runners ran the energy-sapping race in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice based in Foxhall Road, Ipswich, and earned their marathon medals. Among them was big-hearted Rachael Maidment, 30 and from Stowmarket, who works as the hospice’s community fundraising team leader, and crossed the finish line in 7hr 44min 15sec.

Mrs Maidment ran the race in memory of her uncle Peter Mittell, 61, who died in a road accident at Little Blakenham on April 1.

She said: “It was the most amazing experience ever. I hit the wall at mile 20 and wasn’t sure I’d make it.

“Uncle Peter was with me every step. The supporters were the best.”

Ipswich Building Society chief executive Paul Winter went the extra mile in 5hr 10min 26sec for Papworth Trust.

Among the elite runners crossing the finishing line was Ipswich runner Helen Davies (nee Decker) achieving a personal best of 2hr 34min 12sec.

n Did you take part in this year’s London Marathon? Send us your pictures via www.iwitness.co.uk or call newsdesk on 01473 324790.