RUNNERS from Bradford have described the agony and ecstasy of completing the London Marathon alongside 39,000 others.

The first timers gritted their teeth through the pain barrier while the more experienced runners actually seemed to enjoy it.

Will Kerr, club captain of Saltaire Striders, posted a personal best time of two hours 41 minutes.

"It's my first personal best for over 17 years. I managed to shave seven minutes off."

Mr Kerr, 39, a fireman who lives in Bredon Avenue, Wrose, was delighted with his time as he had been suffering with a virus for the past two months.

After completing his tenth London Marathon, Mr Kerr said: "To be honest I feel great, although I am not saying I would do it again right now."

Team-mate Louise Dell’Amico, 40, posted a time of five hours one minute for her first marathon. She was virtually a non-runner until two years ago.

The dental nurse, of Midland Road, Baildon, said: "It was hard but it has been an absolutely fantastic event. The support we got from people who were watching and other runners was just amazing.

"The last two miles, I just wanted to stop but the crowd kept me going. When I was running I was saying that I would never do this again but now I am looking to do another. I am absolutely thrilled."

She was supported by husband Loris and son Lorenzo, six, and raised around £500 for Cancer Support Yorkshire.

Runner Sam Tordoff, 27, a racing driver from Rawdon, thanked supporters for helping him raise money for the Prince's Trust.

Baildon couple Julie and Darren Thorton completed the event in three hours 20 minutes and three hours 26 minutes respectively.

He posted a message on Twitter, saying: "Thanks for all the Twitter love and donations! 04:04:34! I forgot how horrendous the last 10km is! Bath Time! X"

Double Olympic winner Dame Kelly Holmes was among a host of celebrities who took on the race.

She credited the music of Prince for keeping her relaxed as she took on her first marathon.

Speaking after the race she said she felt happy but sore.

"I'm really proud of myself, I'm in a bit of pain now obviously. My legs are aching beyond belief. But it is an amazing feeling to think I've done it."

Asked would she do it again she said: "At this moment no."

The sportswoman said the music of Prince, who died last week, helped keep her calm.

She said: "At nine miles I had Purple Rain on, I was loving it. At nine miles I needed to calm. I felt so good and the crowd were brilliant. That came on and I had a little bit of a smile because I had my nails painted for him as well."

British astronaut Tim Peake claimed a new Guinness World Records title for the fastest marathon in orbit.

The spaceman, who ran the marathon while strapped to a treadmill 400km above earth on board the International Space Station, completed it in three hours and 35 minutes, just minutes behind Dame Kelly's finish time of three hours and 11 minutes.

Major Peake had sent a good luck video message to racegoers as they set off on a chilly but bright day, with supporters lining the capital's streets.