Sussex runners take part in London Marathon

Pictures of some of these runners can be seen in our video slideshow.

Crawley AC runner and Hassocks FC player James Westlake managed to finish 27th in the marathon – a remarkable achievement considering more than 40,000 runners completed the course. Read more about James Westlake’s marathon story here.

Elsewhere Chris Ashby from Polegate ran his first ever full marathon, achieving a time of 5 hours 18 minutes.

Tim Huxham from Up Marden, near Chichester, ran for Pancreatic Cancer Uk. He said: “I ran my first London Marathon to raise money for the charity Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of my mother Jenny Huxham who died of Pancreatic Cancer in 2014 aged 58. Supported by my wife (Kelly Huxham) and my three daughters (Megan 8, Arabella 6, Georgina, 4) I crossed the finish line in 4:52.

“My aim was to raise £5,000 in mum’s (Jenny’s) memory, for the charity that helped her through her short and difficult illness, in the hope that one day her future generations will have a better chance than she did. Thanks to everyone’s generosity and sympathy with the gruelling heat on the day my total has topped £8,000.”

The London Marathon was Sarah Pedretti’s first ever marathon. The Bexhill resident chose to raise money for Marie Curie and local charity Chase the Dream, raising money for an SDR operation for ten year old Chase Wells. Sarah trained with a friend who also ran, Tony Carroll, also from Bexhill and running his first marathon.

Kate O’Connor, from North Bersted, and her mum Carole Mulry, from Woodgate, took part, as did Chichester dad Mike Houston, who was cheered on by his wife and children.

The deputy head teacher from Maidenbower Junior School, Simon Pike, ran in aid of mental health charity MIND, completing the course in 4 hours 48 minutes.

Sacha Jackson ran to raise money for Little Gate Farm in Beckley, East Sussex.