Natalie King, 31, and Lucy Skittrall, 37DOZENS of Swindon runners have been at the forefront of the 25th London Marathon. They were among the 30,000 people who pounded the streets of the capital in the 26-mile race.

Taking first place in the women's race, in impressive style was Olympic medallist Paula Radcliffe who ran the race in two hours, 17 minutes and 42 seconds clocking the third-fastest women's marathon time ever.

But she apologised to panicky spectators after them giving them a brief scare as she stopped for several moments sparking fears that she was repeating her dramatic pullout in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

However it was later revealed that she had to deal with some stomach cramps, before getting back up to complete the race. She said, "I have to apologise to the nation, I just had to stop. I didn't know how far I was in front."

Two years ago she set the world record of two hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds when she ran with the men.

Taking first place in the men's race was Kenyan runner Martin Lel, who ran the race in just two hours, seven minutes and 26 seconds. Large numbers of celebrities also tied on their trainers and took to the road including TV chef Gordon Ramsay, television presenter Dermot O'Leary and both of the Cheeky Girls.

Entrants' ages ranged from 18 to 90 years, with some taking it seriously in running shorts and trainers.

Others wore outrageous costumes, with one group of women raising money for a Cornish hospice, dressed in giant Cornish pastie costumes, while others dressed in schoolgirl uniforms or as cartoon characters.

Tony Skeates, 40, from Swindon managed to complete his first ever marathon in four hours 32 minutes raising money for VICTA a children's blindness charity. "Before I ran I said I would never do it again but its been such a fantastic atmosphere, I am now planning to have a go next year," he said.

Our runners

Natalie King, 31, and Lucy Skittrall, 37, both from Abbey Meads.

TIME: 5 hours and 58 minutes.

They raised £2,300 for VICTA (Visually Impaired Children Take Action).

"We were very nervous at the start but it was brilliant. The atmosphere was incredible and the crowd relay kept us going.

"We weren't exactly sure of our time as we crossed the line but we knew that we came in just behind Hannah Waterman and Ricky Groves from EastEnders".

Martin Davis, 30, from Greenmeadow, finished in 3 hours and 14 minutes, after running the Paris marathon last week. He was raising money for Cancer Research and Asthma UK.

"This was my fourth London marathon and the atmosphere was incredible. After running the Paris marathon last week I could have done with borrowing someone else's legs, especially after the first 12 miles.

"I'll definitely be there next year, but I'll need a rest before I start training again for that one."

Sue Horrobin, 48, from Cricklade, complete the race in 5 hours and 43 minutes. She was raising money for VICTA and ran with her daughter's boyfriend Steve Payne. Together they managed to raise around £1,500.

"The spectators were fantastic they never gave up on us. The kids just kept cheering us on and they were handing us chocolate and sweets all the way round.

"I've got a few blisters and now I'm looking forward to getting home and having a nice bath."

Steve Payne, 27, from Wroughton, completed the course in 5 hours and 43 minutes, and has raised around £1,500 for VICTA together with his girlfriend's mum, Sue Horrobin.

"I picked up an injury but managed to finish the race with Sue. I'm a bit sore and at the moment I'm saying never again."

Steve Payne, 27, from Wroughton, TIME: 5 hours and 43 minutes.

Raised around £1,500 for VICTA together with his girlfriend's mum, Sue Horrobin.

"I picked up an injury but managed to finish the race with Sue. I'm a bit sore and at the moment I'm saying never again."

Sarah Pryke, 38, Toothill, TIME: Six hours after contending with a hip injury. She raised over £800 for Help the Hospices.

"It became really difficult around the 18 mile mark. This was my third London Marathon and the atmosphere was the best I've experienced.''

"This is definitely the last though, it's going to be half-marathons from now on."

Martin Davis, 30, Green-meadow, TIME: 3 hours and 14 minutes, after running the Paris marathon last week.

He was raising money for Cancer Research and Asthma UK. "This was my fourth London marathon and the atmosphere was incredible. I could have done with borrowing someone else's legs, especially after the first 12 miles. I'll definitely be there next year, but I'll need a rest before I start training again for that one."

Louise Hunt, 13, Swindon.

TIME: Won the Mini Wheelchair Marathon in 18 minutes and two seconds.

"I'm feeling tired, but it was a brilliant day. Everyone was cheering us on, and now I'm looking forward to doing it again next year."

Sue Horrobin, 48, from Cricklade, left.

TIME: Completed the race in 5 hours and 43 minutes.

She was raising money for VICTA and ran with her daughter's boyfriend Steve Payne. Together they managed to raise around £1,500. "The spectators were fantastic they never gave up on us. The kids just kept cheering us on and they were handing us chocolate.''