RUNNERS from across the borough took part in the London Marathon on Sunday to raise money for good causes.
And one Croydon participant stood out from the crowd – he completed the marathon dressed as a bright green inhaler to raise money for Asthma UK.
Michael Forteath, from South Croydon, suffers from asthma, as does his nine-year-old daughter Abbie. This was the third time he'd run the London marathon, and he raised £1,000 in the process.
He was also able to break a world record, for fastest asthma pump at the London Marathon.
One Croydon family took on the marathon together – brothers Richard and Michael Thorn ran with Michael's daughter Zara Thorn, 18, and Richard's fiancée, Lucy Uwins, 25.
Richard, 27, ran for Action for Children, completing the 26.2 miles in four hours and 53 minutes.
Lucy wasn't far behind, with a time of five hours and 31 minutes for Cancer Research UK.
Meanwhile Zara ran for mental health charity Mind in six hours and 17 minutes, and Michael finished ten minutes after his daughter – no mean feat considering he was carrying a large wooden wheel behind him the whole way, as he was raising money for the Rotary Wheel Appeal.
Grandfather Ray Thorn was there to support his family.
He said: "It was a great day. We were watching from the grandstand seats on The Mall and it was so exciting to see them.
"They all enjoyed it so much."
Nirmal Kalsi Singh, 59, of Dalmally Road, Addiscombe, and Eleanor Ridley, 21, of Grovelands Road, Purley, both ran for Phab.
The project, based in Wandle Road, encourages people of all abilities to get together on equal terms via youth groups and clubs and through specialist holidays.
Nirmal said: "This is the sixth year in a row I've run the London Marathon and it's my second time running for Phab.
"Although this year was hard because of the heat I was really pleased to clock up a personal best time of four hours, 38 minutes. I really enjoy running the marathon and knowing that I'm supporting a local charity at the same time makes it all the more enjoyable."
Medical student and first-time marathon runner Eleanor said: "It was great to be part of the Phab team for the day and seeing supporters along the route made such a difference to my run."
Purley resident Caroline Evans had to overcome disappointment before the 2012 marathon when shin splits stopped her from running.
After overcoming her injury, Caroline, 32, trained hard and completed this year's marathon in four hours and 40 minutes.
She managed to raise more than £500 for Wellchild, a charity which helps sick children and their families to manage the consequence of serious illnesses.
She told the Advertiser: "I'm grateful for everything that's been donated.
"It's a great charity doing brilliant work."
Kevin Hann, 46, from New Addington, took on the challenge in aid of the Starlight Children's Foundation, which grants wishes for seriously ill children.
He previously told the Advertiser how, on another occasion, he had run 23 miles of a marathon with a twisted ankle.
An estimated 36,000 people took part in Sunday's Virgin London Marathon.
Singer Katherine Jenkins, former England cricket skipper Andrew Strauss, McFly drummer Harry Judd and former shadow chancellor Ed Balls were among the famous runners taking part.
