Locals in the London Marathon

The 33-year-old from Totteridge recorded a time of 2:54:24 over the 26.3 mile course to finish 710th overall.

He said: "I've had a nagging injury for the last couple of years. I had a lot of help from physios and I was able to get over it and concentrate on the training - which is really tough.

"I'm chuffed. The support was brilliant all around the course. They must give you five to ten seconds a mile."

Team mate Derek Brown also broke the three-hour mark with 2:56:51, despite being affected by a spinal injury.

Handy Cross runner David Redhouse finished just outside the top 1,000 with a time of 2:58:52.

Marlow's Peter Robinson, who took part in the London Marathon as the first leg of a challenge that will see him jump out of a plane and sail around the world, finished the race in 4:40.

He said: "I was a bit slow from 19 to 25 miles. It wasn't a wall as such, it was just a case of having no energy.

"That's the hardest one done. After this, jumping out of an aeroplane will be quite easy.

"Sailing around the world will be emotionally hard but it's not the same as killing yourself over 26 miles."

Robinson has not ruled out competing in the marathon again but the 47-year-old said he'll probably wait until his half-century in 2007.

Chesham's David Walker, running in his 24th consecutive marathon, came home in 4:30:10 but it could have been much worse.

The 58-year-old had cramp and had to walk some of the way.

He said: "I felt full of running whereas last year I hit the wall. It must have been the cold weather. It started in the third mile, it got tight again half-way and by the time I got to Canary Wharf I had to walk.' Walker was eventually able to run again and he is fully expecting to compete in his 25th marathon with his family next year.

Andrew Kirk, a consultant rheumatologist and medical director at Wycombe, Amersham and Stoke Mandeville hospitals, ran the race for Arthritis Care in 3:59:07 .

He said: "I used to see quite a few sports people but I tried to keep that out of mind. I just thought all the aches and pains were natural.

"No amount of clapping and cheering alters the fact that there's 26 miles to run."

Karen Ilott from Winchmore Hill finished in 4:52.

The 47-year-old, who was running for the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund, enjoyed the day and even the miserable weather conditions.

She said: "I'm a cold weather runner and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Last year and the year before it was baking. This time the spectators got soaked but it was a lovely atmosphere and a really really nice day."

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly negotiated the gruelling course in 5:57:26.

Peter Addis, the 79-year-old Marlow Sportsperson of the year, ran an impressive 5:05:00, which was eight minutes faster than last year.

First-time runner Matthew Walters from Hazlemere came home in 4:58:28. He was running for local charity, More Than One, which brings help and support to families with two or more children with undiagnosed major illness.

For the Handy Cross Runners, Kate Loach (3:44:17) and Tracey Halstead (3:45:18) both finished inside the top 1,000 of the women's race. Among the club's other finishers were Adam Koffler (3:57:07), Liz Comben (4:42:41) Julie Dean (4:53:44) and Deborah Browne (5:06:59).

Linda Weedon of Lane End finished with a time of 4:59. The 56-year-old took part to raise money for the British Wheelchair Sports Foundation.

Jon Lambert from Hughenden Valley ran the race with a football attached to his cap to raise funds to buy a Bilibed for Wycombe Hospital for babies born with severe jaundice.

After running in 4:31:12 in his fourth marathon, he reached his target of £1,800 and the order for the Bilibed has already been placed.

He said: "It was a great day with a wonderful atmosphere. I had great support along the way from family, friends and work colleagues.

"Comments of 'on me head son' were quite common and having Jonny Boy on my vest ensured I got lots of encouragement, which I needed considering the cold, wet windy conditions."

Jessica Michael from Chalfont St Peter was inspired to run after her next door neighbour, Maria Smith, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

She finished in 4:12 and is now planning to compete in the Berlin Marathon in September.

Wycombe Wanderers director Derek Vere finished the race in 5:22:02.

Andy Bailey from Radnage completed the course in 3:55. He was running for the West Wycombe-based Child Bereavement Trust and raised more than £1,000.

Journalist John Weaver from Chesham hopes to raise £1,750 for Oxfam after completing the marathon in 3:27.

The Marlow Striders had 12 runners in the event with Steve Butler the quickest on 3:11.57. Other finishers were Richard Gibson-Robinson (3:32.35), Gill Newman (3:47.06), Ann Bowles (3:52.03), Helen Lugton (3:58.17), Steve Hill (3:59.30), Carmen Hostetler (4:11.26) Susanne Lewtas (4:17.33) Jo Austin (4:39.15), Petra Hofstotter (4:43.10) Jane Slater (4:57.53) and Juliet Howard (5:27.30).

Detective Constable Kerry Bradfield, based at Amersham Police Station, finished in 4:56:28.

Sunday Combination footballer Keith Herron completed the course in 4:50:24. That was just 23 seconds behind BCUC student James Davey, who waxed his legs in preparation for the event.

Yvonne Wooster, running for Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund, recorded a time of 3:42:50.

Among the other finishers were Allen Kirkbride from Chalfont St Peter, running for Sense (3:30), Marlow's Tony Longstaff (4:09:38), George Eyles (4:30:20) and Clare Sepede (5:19:56), and from Amersham, Tony Brier (4:39).