RUNNERS from York have told how they had to run through soaring temperatures as they battled to cross the finishing line in the 2011 London Marathon.

The event saw tens of thousands of runners from across the world meet in the capital for the 31st race through the streets of London.

Among them were runners from City of York Athletics Club, who all came in under the four hour mark.

Club Chairman, Neil Hunter, 49 said: “I did it in three hours and 59. I hit the wall at about 21 miles and it was so hot.

“It started off overcast but that soon burnt away and at 13 miles it was baking. There was nowhere to hide."

Despite the punishing temperatures, Mr Hunter, a first time London Marathon runner from Dringhouses, said it was a brilliant day and he was glad to have competed but said he would not do it again.

Fellow club members Mark Harney and Mark Pinder, also both came in at under four hours.

Coming in at just over four-and-a-half hours was The Press’s own Dave Stanford, a sub-editor at Walmgate, who was running to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

The father of two said: “It was absolutely boiling when you hit 12 miles but it was a fantastic atmosphere with thousands people cheering you on."

The race was dominated by the Kenyan’s with the men’s event being won by Emmanuel Mutai in a record-breaking two hours and four minutes. Compatriot Mary Keitany won the women's race in two hours and 19 minutes