Marathon hots up... but records still fall

Frank Holden, of Heslington, who is 68 this week, finished the race shortly after five hours running alongside a friend dressed as Paddington Bear.

Despite the time not being his best, he has already signed up to do the race again next year. “It was very hot, but it was a great day”, he told the Yorkshire Post.

“I’m not giving it up any time soon.”

Up to 36,500 athletes were expected to finish the 26.2-mile course after pounding through the streets of the capital to earn their marathon medals and raise money for countless charities.

Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai set a new course record by winning the men’s race with a time of two hours, four minutes and 40 seconds, beating the previous best by 30 seconds.

Three-time winner Martin Lel and Patrick Makau made it a clean sweep for Kenya, while their compatriot Mary Keitany claimed a commanding victory in the women’s race, clocking a time of two hours, 19 minutes and 19 seconds.

Sheffield anaesthetist Jon Morgan also ran his way into the record books, becoming the fastest cartoon character to ever complete the course – clocking an impressive 2:46.59 while dressed as Fred Flintstone.

The 43-year-old, who dyed his hair black and carried a plastic club, said: “It was very hot but luckily you generate your own wind when running so it wasn’t horrific.”

A host of celebrities also crossed the start line in support of good causes, including Leeds-born model Nell McAndrew and Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell.

In Sheffield, more than 430 runners took part in the Lord Mayor’s 10k race yesterday, with Mike Burrett of Leeds City Athletics Club winning the race with a time of 32.35. There was also a 3k fun run.