MARATHON runners battled the heat to take part in one of the world’s top charity races.

Lauren Franklin, of Long Meadows Dovercourt, was taking part in her first London Marathon for charity VICTA, and completed the race in five hours and 19 minutes and raised over £1,500.

“I just feel elation – it was amazing,” she said.

Former Kingsway optician Malkiat Singh, 69, completed the London Marathon for the eighth time to raise money for Beating Bowel Cancer and completed it in seven hours and 50 minutes.

He said: “I think this time was better for me as I still ran at my own pace and I was stopping along the way to support my fellow runners some who were suffering from cramps and pains."