AS blisters begin to heal and the roar of cheering crowds fades to memory, Oxfordshire runners look back on their London Marathon experience.

Seasoned Didcot runner Eileen Naughton took her place on the starting line for the 10th year in a row on Sunday, showing her support for the Children with Cancer UK.

The 34-year-old said: "It went great until 22 miles, then I steadily slowed down. But I soaked up the crowd support and had the biggest smile the whole way."

Miss Naughton, who works on the trauma ward at the John Radcliffe Hospital, had sewn several names of children who were receiving treatment for cancer on her running vest.

She said her highlight was after she had finished with a time of three hours and 38 minutes, when a mum spotted her daughter's name on her shirt.

Remembering the poignant moment, she said: "She was so overcome with the thought that had gone into it. When it got tough, I thought of the children and what they go through. We both had a hug, and a few tears."

Miss Naughton was among several tackling the marathon from Didcot Runners, including Noel Francis, John Talbot and Christopher Davies (all pictured).

Mr Talbot, who ran for WaterAid, said: "I bumped into Noel into at mile 22, which was pure luck. We got each other to the end when it was really tough in those last few miles. Since we had trained for the marathon together it was fantastic to be able to finish it together."

Four runners from Oxford and one from Banbury ran for Parkinson's UK, raising more than £4,000 between them.

Bicester dad-of-two Tom Burgess ran the course in four hours and 37 minutes for Sea Cadets, smashing his target time of five hours.

The 36-year-old has shed seven stone since been told last March that he was dangerously overweight.

He said: ""It was an incredible experience. The atmosphere was amazing, and running the last kilometre with everyone shouting my name is something I will never forget."

Also from Bicester, 'Forrest Gump' Ewan Gordon took the 26.2 miles in memory of the town's late schoolboy Thomas Laurie, who died of a rare condition aged nine.

Laura Thomas, of Eynsham, took on the marathon for the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

The 27-year-old said: "I slowed down between miles 22 and 24, but the crowds just pick you up. It was an amazing experience. I crossed the line and said ‘never again’ but within half an hour I had changed my mind."