Dartmouth's magnificent four marathon runners all completed the London challenge in what was an 'amazing' experience.

The four runners are all members of the Dartmouth Athletic Club.

They joined the tens of thousand of runners who took part in the huge event last weekend – including the 30-year-old tragic Claire Squires who collapsed and died a mile from the finish line.

Dartmouth runner Jenny Pichowski said: 'It was quite an amazing experience. We were just glad to get through it. It was tragic that one of the runners died and we are just urging people to donate to her just giving website.'

Jenny, 36, of Ford Valley, was running with her fellow athletics club members Marie Jones, 63, of Newcomen Road, Suzie Bowden, 39, of Broadstone and Kari-Ann Webb, of Britannia Avenue.

Marie, who already has five marathons under her belt, came in first of the four in a time of four hours and 15 minutes.

Next was Jenny at four hours and 39 minutes, then Suzi in four hours and 58 minutes and finally Kari-Ann in five hours and 45 minutes.

Jenny and Suzi started out on the marathon together while Marie and Kari-Ann ran independently.

Said Jenny: 'It was quite incredible. I enjoyed the first half but the second half was not quite so enjoyable.

'I think all four of us enjoyed ourselves although Kari Ann was feeling quite sore afterwards with a sore foot.'

Brave Kari-Ann suffered a stress fracture to her foot when she reached mile 16 but still finished the marathon.

She eventually hobbled over the finish line in agony before heading home where she has been forbidden from running by her doctor for at least the next month.

But Kari-Ann is determined to get back into running mode so she can take part in next year's London marathon – and finish in a better time.

But she added: 'At least I beat the people from The Only Way is Essex even though I had to haul my leg around like I had a peg leg,' she said.

'I have got to go back next year to beat that time.'