'Finish lines not finish times' at London Marathon

Julie Barnes and Debra Harrison from Fit Mums and Friends said their aim was to finish the London Marathon

The sun shone brightly and temperatures rose as a record number of participants started the 45th edition of the London Marathon.

While the female elite race was won by Tigst Assefa in a women's-only world record time, the men's winner Sabastian Sawe completed the 26.2-mile course in a little over two hours and others chased personal bests, crossing the finish line was the main goal for many.

Among the tens of thousands taking part for their chosen charities were Julie Barnes and Debra Harrison from Hull.

They told BBC London their slogan for the marathon was "finish lines not finish times".

Ms Harrison was running for the charity Fit Mums and Friends, while Ms Barnes was lucky enough to get a place through the ballot.

They said they had one aim in mind: "Just finish it."

And finish it they did. Both women successfully completed the London Marathon, Ms Barnes crossed the line in four hours and 41 minutes and Ms Harrison five hours and 42 minutes.

The female elite race was won by Tigst Assefa in a women's-only world record time

London Marathon organisers confirmed this year's event had a record number of starters of any marathon anywhere in the world

Among those running was this group, running in aid of charity Kidney Care UK

Meanwhile, a contingent from Kidney Care UK included the parents and children of people who have benefitted from the charity's services.

Cassandra Gilbert-Ward, 35, told BBC London that the charity had supported her family "a lot".

She said: "My stepdad was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2020 during Covid, we had no idea there was anything wrong until he was in complete kidney failure."

Jamie Salmon said she and her partner were running to fundraise for Kidney Care after their two-year-old son received treatment for damaged kidneys.

"He will be on lifelong medication and he has since been diagnosed with stage-two kidney disease," she said.

"The ward he was treated on at Great Ormond Street was funded by Kidney Care, so it means so much to both of us."

She said they were "over the moon" to have raised £13,500 so far.

Some 56,000 participants started the 45th edition of the London Marathon

The male elite runners were cheered on by the crowds as they raced through the centre of Greenwich

Sir Jason Kenny, British former track cyclist, was among some of the well-known names taking part this year

The London Marathon's director confirmed this year's race had a record number of starters of any marathon anywhere in the world, with more than 56,000 participants taking to the start line.

As ever, a number of well-known names were among those participating, including seven-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Jason Kenny, McFly drummer Harry Judd, broadcaster Adele Roberts and singer Alexandra Burke.

Lewisham's Alex Yee, the Olympic and world triathlon champion, lined up with the elites to take on his first marathon and Eilish McColgan set a new Scottish record on her marathon debut.

While runners ran past the real Big Ben

A runner in an Elizabeth Tower costume could be seen on the course

Two protesters attempted to disrupt the race by throwing paint on Tower Bridge but were quickly thwarted and arrested on suspicion of causing a public nuisance.

Warm weather also presented an extra challenge.

Temperatures were due to reach around 22C (72F) in the capital, which will likely make it London's fourth warmest marathon in its history, the warmest being in 2018 when the mercury hit 24.2C (76F).

The heat, however, did not stop many achieving personal bests.

Among those were army doctors Rhiannon Kirk, who finished in two hours and 55 minutes, and Helena Sexton, who crossed the line in three hours and three minutes.

Those in bulky costumes found the warm weather even more of a challenge

Rhiannon Kirk, left, pictured with Helena Sexton, got back from Australia two days ago and then ran the London Marathon

Ms Kirk said: "I got back from Australia two days ago. I loved it, it was really good but the end definitely hurt.

"It was my first one so it was obviously going to be a personal best, but yeah I was happy."

Ms Sexton, from Tetbury in Gloucestershire, said: "It was really hard in the heat but the atmosphere was amazing.

"To be fair there was loads of water stops, we just covered our heads with the water."

Supporters lined the streets to create an "amazing" atmosphere

Many cheered on their loved ones with their homemade signs

Lauren Stockley achieved a personal best, finishing in three hours and two minutes

Also achieving a personal best was Lauren Stockley, from Abergavenny in south Wales.

She finished in three hours and two minutes, knocking 12 minutes off her previous best time for a marathon.

"It was really good, it was very hot but I thought I hydrated well," the 25-year-old said.

"There was a lot of water stations, so I was able to cope with it."

Olympic triathlon-winning Londoner Alex Yee finished in 14th place in the male elite race on his marathon debut

Ant, who was raising raising funds for Leukaemia Care, completed his fifth marathon - his first one in London

Ant, who completed the marathon for Leukaemia Care, said he raised more than £3,500 in his mother and father's memory.

"I lost my dad to leukaemia many years ago," he said.

Reflecting on the race, he added: "[It was] obviously quite hot but it was great fun. This is my fifth one but first time in London so it was amazing."

Bright colours and bold costumes made runners stand out in the crowd

This year's marathon also saw 103 participants attempt to break 87 Guinness World Records.

Among those were a quartet of runners trying to set a new record for the fastest time in a four-person costume, dressed as Scooby Doo's Mystery Machine.

Other record attempts included the fastest marathon in a firefighter's uniform, dressed as a knight, dressed in a tent, on crutches and fastest male London Marathon runner dressed as a body part.