A GRANDMOTHER from Long Preston who knew before the start that she would have to part-walk the London Marathon finished the course within minutes of her target time.

Keen runner June Darley, 56, took on the task, raising cash for Macmillan Cancer Care, while carrying an ankle injury - as a tribute to her friend Cynthia Thompson, who died of cancer in December. June was hoping to complete the 26.2 miles in under 6 hours 30mins, and crossed the line with 11 minutes to spare - suffering, like all the other runners, in the blistering heat. She said: “I also experienced the water shortages and had to rely on the kindness of spectators, who were amazing. I had a truly awesome day, proud of Team Macmillan and all the other runners.”