By Adam Spartley

A Harlow couple raised over £3500 for charity after they completed the London Marathon on Sunday.

Karen Kitson and her husband Andy completed the 28 mile race in just over 7 hours; with the money they raised going to ‘Phabkids’, a charity that aims to promote and encourage people with and without physical disabilities to come together on equal terms.

This years run coincided with a dramatic national heatwave, with temperatures of 23.2 degrees making it the hottest race day on record, leaving many runners struggling to contend with the extreme conditions.

Karen and Andy after completing the 26.2 mile run.

Karen said: “This was my first and only marathon so far but it was Andy’s ninth. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done but equally the most amazing experience.”

The Virgin Money London Marathon is the largest annual fundraising event on the planet and runners have raised more than £890 million for good causes since its inception in 1981.