St Andrews runners net £17,000 at London Marathon

StAART members Gary Ovenstone, Christine Webster, Charlene Dick, Alex Bain and Tone Brennan were just some of those from the town who took part in the 26.2 mile route.

They were running to raise cash for St Andrews-based charity Worldwide Cancer Research.

Tone said the team’s times ranged from three hours 31 minutes to four hours 48 minutes. He said: “While it was a tough challenge to complete, the atmosphere in London and the support we were all getting from home in St Andrews was amazing. It felt like the whole community was behind us, cheering us on as we ran the 26.2 miles.

“We haven’t got a final total yet for the fundraising but it is currently sitting at £13,016.28 with some money still to come in.”

As well as their marathon efforts to raise the cash, the team had also organised a series of events in aid of the charity, including a calendar, a New Year’s Day Dook, a Burns’ Supper, a charity car wash, a Valentine’s disco, a 5K fun run and charity auctions.

And the group are incredibly grateful for the support they have received from local businesses and the community as a whole.

Tone continued: “We’d been able to do the training so we could take part in the race, but none of this would have been possible if the rest of the town hadn’t come together to support us, donating time, money, prizes and taking part in the events we organised.

“We just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has joined in.”

But the team of five were not the only St Andreans to finish the marathon.

Father and daughter, Danny and Ann Rooney were also among the crowds making their way through the capital’s streets and finishing on the Mall.

They completed the course raising money for Guide Dogs Scotland, and thanks to the generosity of friends, family and the local community have smashed their £4000 target.

Danny said: “We had a great weekend and ran together all the way round London and I was a very proud father crossing the finishing line, hands aloft with Ann, especially considering it was her first ever marathon.

“She only had 11 weeks to train after Guide Dogs offered her the place so to run 26 miles in four hours 24 minutes was some achievement.

“I have run many marathons but I will never forget the experience we had on Sunday.

“We’d like to thank all the people throughout Fife who have been kind enough to sponsor us, we are very grateful.”