Cotswold runners race to success as they complete 26-mile London Marathon

The London Marathon, which took place on April 24, had nearly 40,000 runners take part on the day.

Matt Evans, 31, hairdresser and co-owner of the Secret Beautique salon in the Waterloo, Cirencester, completed the marathon in just under four hours: three hours and 58 minutes.

Matt ran the marathon to raise money for mental health charity Mind in memory of his mother Janet who committed suicide last year amid mental issues after his father died.

He said: “The marathon was quite surreal. You cannot appreciate just how big it is until you are there.

“It is mentally exhausting,” he said referring to the crowds of people and the number of runners in the way, “and it was quite tormenting with the smell of food.

“What kept me going was the fact that I was running for Mind in memory of my mum, I kept that at the back of my mind.

“The hardest bit was when I came out a tunnel into embankment and I saw Big Ben, which is near the finish line, but I still had four miles to go. It’s quite a mental challenge, I just continued to put one foot in front of the other.”

(Matt Evans at the London Marathon)

Matt came 13,901 place overall, 10,688 in his gender category and 5,283 in his age category.

Matt, who usually runs within the range of four to six miles, said: “I’ve definitely got the bug for marathon running. My goal is to get under three hours next year.”

He added about his first marathon experience: “Never before have I accepted jelly babies from strangers.”

Jelly babies, which are high in energy and carbohydrates, were given out at the race.

Matt has raised over £1,600 for Mind, and is hoping to raise £1,700 by May 24 with a charity raffle.

He said of his run for his mum, “It was a nice end to a journey, in terms of training and in terms of closure for grief.”

Matt is planning to run ten more races in the next year. His next race is a five mile run in Swindon. He is also doing a half marathon in Bristol and in Swindon, and is hoping to be able to run for the London Marathon next year.

Eileen Hodgson, of Shepherds Mead, Tetbury, also completed the marathon with a time of four hours and 31 minutes.

She came 521 in her age category and 22,399 overall.

Eileen, who attends St Mary's Church, is fundraising for Christian Aid, of which she is a collector volunteer for.

She had hoped to raise £2,000 through her run and has raised over £2,200.

(Eileen Hodgson at the London Marathon)

She said: “I feel fantastic. I had wanted to get into the London Marathon for years.”

“The hardest bit in the run was when I felt a twinge in my hamstring and I had to stop and stretch. I had to keep saying, ‘another mile, another mile,’ I had to think in chunks.

“As you stop at the finish line, you cry. It is emotional as you are absolutely exhausted.

“What kept me going was the fact that my friends and family were there and also the money I raised. Everyone had so much faith in me.”

However, she said: “I wouldn’t do another marathon. It was the investment. I was running five times a week with no social life, eating well and not drinking.

“I work full-time and I have got three children. And I can’t do it half-heartedly.

“But I’m glad I’ve done it. Whenever people know I run, people always ask if I have done the London Marathon and now I have.”

To support Matt in his fundraising, go to www.justgiving.com/matthew-evanslondonmarathon2016. Raffle tickets are £5 and can be purchased at Secret Beautique salon in Cirencester.

To support Eileen, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Come-on-Eileen.