RUNNERS from across the Bradford district today made marathon efforts running through London streets for charity.

Among them was businessman Dan Taylor who underwent a six-hour operation in 2012 to have his stomach removed to prevent cancer.

Mr Taylor, who grew up in Low Moor and went to Tong School, raised £3,500 for Cancer Research UK when he and 40,381 others ran the gruelling 26.2-mile course, cheered on by 800,000 onlookers and waved off by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

The dad-of-two was told in 2011 he carried the mutant CDH1/HDGC gene that meant he had an 80 per cent chance of developing aggressive stomach cancer; he had the surgery and later found out that he did have the early stages of the disease.

After the race, he said: “This was my first marathon and I’m not sure if there will ever be another but I might change my mind in a few weeks’ time! I did it in four hours 17 minutes which was a little slower than I wanted but there were about 39,000 other people in my way!”

Another man who hoped to complete the 37th London Marathon while attempting a world record at the same time was Andy Sharpe. The 29-year-old, of Ilkley, was part of a team trying to set a world best for the fastest marathon in a five-person costume. The team from across the UK dressed up as the Scooby Doo gang planned to carry the Mystery Machine around with them all the way in aid of cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

Ben Rhydding mum Mandy Sawyer, 45, tackled the course raising money and awareness for Bradford PHAB (Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied) coming in at four hours, 20 minutes and 32 seconds. The charity, which has a base in West Bowling and is part of a national initiative, runs a variety of activities for disabled people, including trips to the seaside, parks and the zoo. Ms Sawyer was hoping to raise at least £1,650.

Brother and sister Tim Wellings, 29 and Sophie Wilson, 31, from Ilkley were also competing in the marathon together in aid of Meningitis Research Foundation.

Mr Wellings, who had bacterial meningitis when he was a toddler and was left with some lifelong effects including brain damage, crossed the finishing line in five hours, nine minutes and 57 seconds.

The duo have raised £8,000 boosted by Mrs Wilson who recently got married and gave up wedding presents for sponsorship instead.