THEY did it!

Well done to all the north Essex runners who completed Sunday's London Marathon.

We caught up with some of them to find out how it went.

You can read more runner stories in today's Gazette.

Shawn Leek

Gazette:

SHAWN Leek finished his seventh marathon in seven days when he crossed the finish line in London.

The mechanical engineer, 40, took on the huge challenge to raise cash for St Helena Hospice and raised more than £9,000 for the charity, which cared for one of his friends.

He said: “It’s been a really amazing journey. I don’t think it’s really sunk in what I’ve done. I’m on cloud nine.

“I saw the hospice guys half way around. I stopped to see them and was welling up.”

Read more about his story by clicking here.

 

Nia Fortuna

Gazette:

NIA Fortuna, whose husband Colour Sergeant Kevin Fortuna was killed in Afghanistan, achieved a new personal best with her time of five hours and 25 minutes.

She took on the distance despite suffering illness and injuries which affected her training, and raised £3,115 for Help for Heroes.

Nia also took part in the marathon in 2011 when Kevin was flying out to Afghanistan.

He was killed a few weeks later in a roadside bomb explosion.

Matt Green

Gazette:

MATT Green raised £2,500 for Spinal Research with his marathon challenge.

He crossed the finish line in three hours and 48 minutes.

Matt, who works as a physiotherapy assistant at Colchester General Hospital, said: “I loved it.

The last four miles were tough, but my pace was amazing. It was an incredible experience and thousands of people were cheering you on.”

Stuart Millar

Gazette:

STUART Millar finished his 10th London Marathon in three hours and 47 minutes.

He took on the challenge to raise cash for St Helena Hospice, which cared for his grandfather Ralph and his aunt Diane.

He said: "It's such an iconic marathon and out of all the marathons I've run around the world the spectators and supporters are by far the most passionate and supportive.

"I would without doubt recommend anyone with half an inkling of wanting to run it now after watching it on TV or spectating on the day to apply next week when the ballot opens."