Stoma nurse Paula Pickersgill romped home in 4 hours 32 mins in her first ever London marathon fundraising for our two local hospices Kirkwood and Overgate.

And sheer "crowdpower" at the end meant she ran her two fastest miles up to the finishing line!

She said: " It was fabulous. I am still on cloud 9, it's an amazing feeling. The crowds give you such a lift and when you see someone you know it's just lovely. My fastest two miles were the last two. I never stopped not once just slowed down for water."

She paced herself and avoided blisters (and hailstones which affected some parts of the course) and the trap of setting off too early and, at the end, ran past more than 1000 others who were having to walk to the finishing line or were suffering with cramp.

She stands to raise £1,500 and was spurred on by her son and daughter in the crowds. All runners are given a tracker to wear which sends a signal every 5k so their supporters know exactly where they are so they can plan ahead. Many get the Tube to cheer them further down the course.

Paula picked the hospices as both care for many of her patients. She turns 50 this year and completing a marathon was on her wish list of things to do before she hit 50 - and that's it, there's no chance of another.

She added: "I won't be doing another. I've done it now.  It is nice to get back to normal. Running the race is no problem, it's the training that takes over.  It'll be nice to get back to usual routine.... like making tea!!

Race facts

• A record total of 247,069 people ran it this year.
• Since its launch 36 years ago,  runners have raised over £770 million for charity.
• It is  shown on television in nearly 200 countries around the world.

A big well done to all other CHFT runners who completed it - and didn't tell Comms!