HARLOW MP Chris Vince fulfilled the dream of a lifetime by completing the 46th running of the London Marathon.

Over the last year, Mr Vince has been quietly running up and down towpaths of the River Stort and the country lanes of our town and villages as he prepared for the challenge.

In the end, the lifelong football fan found it a marathon of two halves. A relatively comfortable first 13 miles followed by quite a tough last six or seven miles.

But he never gave up.

He was very grateful to see friends and family on the course as well as a fellow Harlow runner as he battled down the Embankment.

He finished in a very respectable time of 5hrs 21 mins and 22 secs.

Mr Vince said: “A huge thank you to everyone who supported me yesterday at the London Marathon.

“Whether you donated to the wonderful St Clare Hospice or came along to cheer me on on the day I am incredibly grateful.

Pleased to say we raised nearly £3,000 pounds for an incredibly worthy cause.

“Well done to all the other Harlow runners and volunteers!”