CHARITIES benefited from three courageous Saltash runners on Sunday - when they took part in the London marathon, despite one catching a nasty cold beforehand, and another battling through a knee injury.

Husband and wife Kevin and Tracy Stiff, of Latchbrook, ran in aid of the charity Visually Impaired Children Taking Action (VICTA), and both set out aiming to beat their previous best times - Kevin's being four hours 20 minutes and Tracy's five hours 40 minutes. Kevin, however, developed knee trouble after about 13 miles, which put paid to a fast time, and left him running on less than normal power to the finish. He had previously completed three London marathons, while Tracy, 40, had tackled two.

The couple, who are both Tamar Trotters, decided to run for VICTA after reading an appeal in Marathon Magazine.

Chief Petty Officer Ray Longhurst, of Saltash, was also after a personal best, which he achieved - taking 10 minutes off his previous London marathon best of four hours 20 minutes achieved at his first attempt last year.

He had contracted a 'stinking cold' in the run-up to the race which made last minute training hard. He had toyed with the idea of not running because he felt so bad, but the fact that a member of the family had managed to raise extra sponsorship of £300 for him spurred him on. Even then he hit a bad patch at 13 miles, but came through to achieve a time he was pleased with.

He said that, all round, he found preparation harder this year. In 2000 he was based in Portsmouth where training seemed to come easier than at his present post at HMS Drake. Contracting the cold about a fortnight before the race did not help, either.

Ray said he does not have a natural runner's lithe physique, but in the past has built up his strength, while at sea, running round the upper deck. He also joked that his size 12 feet are a great help in covering the miles.

This year his wife, Sue, went up to watch him, and was able to catch up with him at the 19 mile mark, after striving to get around London, via packed underground trains, to watch the race at specific points.

Ray, who hopes to have raised around £900, ran for two charities, the King George's Fund for Sailors, and CLIC. He and Sue organised a raffle as part of his bid to raise money, Sue standing outside the Saltash CLIC shop selling the tickets. This brought in about £250.

Ray is now aiming to tackle the London course again next year, and hopes he can run under four hours.

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