DESPITE torrential downpours and bitterly cold weather, runners from Cheshire battled ahead to complete the 26.2 miles of London Marathon on Sunday.

As reported in last week's Guardian, 34-year-old Carole Green, from Northwich, was one of the 32,000 people who took part in the epic race.

She raised £170 for the Samaritans and £170 for Save The Family. She also managed to enlist 25 new blood donors for the National Blood Service.

Carole said the event was 'brilliant' and despite her aches and pains, she is already contemplating which marathon to train for next.

She was delighted to have beaten her personal target by a minute, finishing in four hours and nine minutes.

Marianne Benson, 35, from Middlewich, completed the race despite pulling a knee ligament at the 18 mile mark.

But she was determined to finish and hobbled through the remaining eight miles, finishing in six hours 41 minutes.

Marianne felt 'elated and relieved' when she finished and was pleased to have raised more than £500 for the Christie Hospital, Manchester.

Although she is suffering from her injury, she said she wants to take part in the event again next year.

Keith McCausland, 41, from Frodsham, raised more than £500 for the British Heart Foundation and was 'chuffed to bits' to have beaten his personal target, finishing in four hours 26 minutes.

Keith said the event was 'fascinating' and like Carol and Marianne he wants to participate in the 2005 London Marathon.

All three runners said they hit a pain barrier part way through the race but the support from the crowds kept them going.

Suzy Emsden, 30, from Northwich, ran to raise money for Children with Leukemia and finished the race in five hours 55 minutes.

Everyone who completed the race was presented with a medal and a T-shirt to commemorate the event.