AMAZING fundraising efforts, stunning finishing times and delighted runners were all in a buoyant mood this week as they reflected on their successes at the Virgin London marathon.

AMAZING fundraising efforts, stunning finishing times and delighted runners were all in a buoyant mood this week as they reflected on their successes at the Virgin London marathon.

All motivated by the same goal of completing the tough trek around the capital's streets and raising money for deserving charities, one of the first to finish was Lowestoft's Mark Potter.

The Waveney Valley AC member and former Kirkley footballer had been ill the week prior to the race, and having not been able to train as much as he'd like to with a young family, he admitted to being 'really pleased' with his impressive time of 3hrs, 3mins, 22secs.

This placed him 1,308th out of more than 37,000 runners and secured him automatic entry for next year as he completed the race under 3hrs, 10 mins.

'My previous best marathon time was 3hrs, 6mins, 44secs and I went through halfway in 1hr, 30mins, 42secs. I even stopped at 25 miles to have a family picture taken in the middle of the route with son George, but only did this as I knew sub-three hours had gone - priceless picture though!'

He praised all sponsors who helped him raise about �1,500 for the charity Tommys, and he can still be sponsored via www.justgiving.com/Potsy-Tommys

Equally delighted with her finishing time of 4hrs, 8mins, Reydon-based runner Maria Adey spotted a number of celebrities on her way.

'I passed Miss UK at one mile, Iwan Thomas (Olympic athlete) at 14 miles and Russell Howard (comedian) at 24 miles, as well as overtaking a 10ft giraffe, a giant banana, a bottle of beer and an ostrich,' she said.

Maria has raised �1,095 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She said: 'I am already dabbling with the idea of trying to beat the four-hour mark!'

Maria is still accepting donations via www.justgiving.com/mariaadey

Denes High School Sports Centre assistant Clare Wyndham completed the race with her sister in 6hrs, 2mins, 55secs, raising an 'incredible' �12,000-plus up to the day of the run.

Delighted with her first-ever marathon time of 4hrs, 21mins, 29secs, Lisa Knights completed the Brighton Marathon recently as she raised �1,110 for the Guide Dogs Association.