MONTHS of hard training proved worthwhile for Oxfordshire’s London Marathon runners today.

County entrants helped make up an estimated turnout of 37,500, who battled through the pain barrier and the rain during the 26.2-mile race around the capital’s streets.

Gill Begnor, from Hook Norton, became a world record holder for becoming the fastest woman to run a marathon dressed as a bottle. She finished the race in four hours 54 minutes.

The 44-year-old beat the former record of five hours and raised more than £2,000 for blood cancer charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Her friend James Clarke, managing director of Hook Norton brewery, lost his sister Victoria to leukaemia in 1986.

She said: “I had given myself a target pace but it wasn’t until about the 23-mile mark when I started to believe I could do it.

“It feels fantastic to know I’m a world record holder but it’s definitely the last time I’ll be running in that suit.”

Grandfather and former alcoholic Paul Brackett, 50, finished his 73rd marathon in three hours 38 minutes.

The father-of-two from Blackbird Leys said: “Normally the end is the slog, but for me it was the middle, and at one point I had to stop to take off a sock.

“I haven’t touched alcohol in 16 years so I’m celebrating with a pasty and a cup of tea.”

Oxford United fan Andy Hill finished in four hours 52 minutes and raised more than £1,200 for the club’s 12th Man Fund.

Mr Hill, who lives in the city centre, said: “While I was running I kept thinking what a great opportunity this was to raise money for the club I love.

“In the end I managed to bring the 12th Man Fund flag over the finish line.”

NHS worker Regina Lalley, 30, of Harvest Way, Witney, pounded London’s streets before finishing in five hours 35 minutes. She ran in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, which is supporting her boyfriend’s mother to fight stomach cancer, and for the Oxford Oratory’s restoration project in Woodstock Road.

She said: “When I ran past the Macmillan stand they gave me big cheers. That spurred me on.”

Veteran marathon runner Nick Moglia, of New Yatt, Witney, chalked up £25,000 for Cecily’s Fund as he ran the race in three hours 23 minutes.

The 50-year-old managing director said: “This is the first marathon I’ve run since 1984 and the crowd were just unbelievable and really kept me going.”

Epilepsy sufferer Andrew Geake beat his target time when he completed the race in 3hrs 29mins and raised more than £3,500 for the National Society for Epilepsy.

The 25-year-old from St Clement’s, Oxford, said: “I’m delighted after beating my target time by 42 seconds.

“I was also kept amused as I ran between two storm troopers and Danger Mouse.”

Alan Stratton crossed the line in 4hrs 57mins and raised £3,750 for a pelican crossing for his home village of Tiddington, near Wheatley, as well as an all-weather play area.

The 43-year-old said: “It was a life changing experience. I’ve watched it on the telly for 30 years but never thought I would be there myself.”

Julian Sayers, of Newbury Street, Wantage, made it round following treatment on his ankle from St John’s Ambulance in 5hrs 38mins. He raised about £6,000 for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

The 50-year-old chairman of the charity said: “This will go to helping disadvantaged children so I’m very glad. I did struggle at one point with my ankle but the medical crew soon got me through it.”

Headington woman Dr Niki Meston, of St Anne’s Road, chalked up a time of 3hrs 42mins.

Dr Meston, who was 41 yesterday, ran for the National Society for Epilepsy after her brother Paul died five years ago, aged 37, from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, known as Sudep.

Former Matthew Arnold School pupil Mark Wheeler ran in at 5hrs 11mins after travelling almost 4,000 miles from his US home in Chicago.

The 41-year-old aimed to raise £4,000 for Leonard Cheshire Disability, which runs John Masefield House, in Burcot, and looks after Mr Wheeler’s severely handicapped stepbrother Nigel Langford.

Sir Richard Branson, whose company Virgin sponsored the event, ran dressed as a butterfly.

bellery@oxfordmail.co.uk