TWO runners from the Okehampton area crossed the finishing line together at the Flora London Marathon on Sunday (April 18).

Geraldine Walter, who lives near Ashbury, and Mark Duddridge from Bratton Clovelly, had been training together in the run up to the event and came home together in a time of 4 hours and 21 minutes.

The daring duo were beamed into millions of homes around the country as they were filmed crossing the finish line by BBC cameras.

Geraldine and Mark are both parents of children at Boasley Cross Primary School.

Their training partner Alistair Simons from Launceston was running his first marathon and came home with a time of 5 hours and 23 minutes.

Geraldine said she had decided to 'take it steady' during the race, particularly as the conditions had not been the best.

'Rain makes it difficult, at about 10 miles there was a downpour, and again when Alistair was about to finish,' he said.

Geraldine wanted to thank everyone who had offered sponsorship or pledges and had helped raise lots of money for children's charity PHAB — Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied.