RUNNERS from Croydon put in a gargantuan effort to raise thousands of pounds for a host of good causes in the London Marathon yesterday (Sunday).
They were among an estimated 36,000 people who took part in the annual test of endurance on a balmy day in the capital.
Coulsdon resident Veronica McCleave, 64, who vowed this year would be her fourth and last marathon, completed the course in six hours and four minutes alongside her son Andrew, 33, who finished in five hours and 17 minutes.
Both battled injury complaints but came through the 26.2 mile course. But she said she may have changed her mind on it being her last race.
Mrs McCleave said: "The crowds always make it so fantastic but this year was great. I am a bit achey today but I could be worse, my knee supports held on.
"I told my children after the race it would be my last one but today (Monday) I'm not so sure. It's a bit of an addiction!"
The pair raised almost £3,000 for Cancer Research UK in memory of Mrs McCleave's husband Dave and daughter Michelle, who both died of cancer aged 64 and 28 respectively.
Charley McDermott, 48, who raised nearly £4,000 for Croydon National Autistic Centre Resource Centre, completed the marathon in three hours and 25 minutes.
He celebrated afterwards with an event with live music, food and an auction at The Croham Arms pub in South Croydon.
It was part of his ongoing fundraising efforts for the centre and the money raised will help fund the outings and activities for its Saturday youth project.
Dr Debbie Berry, a Purley GP, was worried she had bitten off more than she could chew after she finally took the advice she had been giving patients for years.
Dr Berry, 40, said: "I can now tell my patients to keep fit without feeling guilty because I have finally done something about my own fitness!
"I think this may be my first and last marathon though because I think if I did it again it might not be as good."
Dr Berry crossed the finish line in four hours and 55 minutes and raised more than £1,800 for The Children's Society.
Gospel singer Lyndell Beguinua, 32, decided to take up the challenge after visiting his mother in the Philippines in the wake of the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan.
The paralegal, of Thanet Place, Croydon, raised more than £2,000 for Catholic aid agency CAFOD and finished in five hours.
He said: "I feel a bit wiped out but really proud. It's a massive accomplishment for me as I hadn't even been to the gym for over a year before the race. I'm not sure I'd recommend such a short training period though!"
Student Paige Taylor, 18, of New Addington, said it had been an "emotional" day she broke down when she saw her family.
She added: "I was so proud to complete it but when I was finished I was so shocked and didn't know what to think.
"The funniest runner I saw was probably the guy dressed as Freddie Mercury with a hoover."
Paige beat her target and raised more than £1,600 for disabled children's charity Whizz-Kidz. She completed the course in five hours and 54 minutes.
Former New Addington councillor Peter Walker, 68, donned his Crystal Palace shirt for the marathon.
He said: "What was really great was the cheers from Palace fans along the route, to say nothing of the few well-meant jeers from Millwall, Charlton and Hammers fans.
"I do not think I will be doing this again but I am determined, despite dodgy legs, to be with Palace fans at Everton on Wednesday to cheer the lads to victory and three points."
He raised almost £2,800 for mental health charity Mencap.
Advertiser columnist Zoe Messenbird also ran in the Palace colours.
She finished the course in a little over five hours and has raised more than £1,500 for children with cancer.
