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| Runners brave marathon heatwave | Runners brave marathon heatwave |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A record number of runners have completed the London Marathon after sweltering in unseasonal heat. | |
| According to St John Ambulance there were a "high" number of runners collapsing on the finish line, but no serious conditions were reported. | According to St John Ambulance there were a "high" number of runners collapsing on the finish line, but no serious conditions were reported. |
| The 36,500 runners were the usual mix of professionals, amateurs and celebrities, most of whom were raising money for charitable causes. | The 36,500 runners were the usual mix of professionals, amateurs and celebrities, most of whom were raising money for charitable causes. |
| Temperatures hit 21C at midday, equalling the 1996 record. | Temperatures hit 21C at midday, equalling the 1996 record. |
| Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey was among a number of famous faces to run - and suffer - in the heat. | Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey was among a number of famous faces to run - and suffer - in the heat. |
| "It was like running in a desert today. I stopped to help one guy. It was quite bad. They were dropping like flies," he said. | "It was like running in a desert today. I stopped to help one guy. It was quite bad. They were dropping like flies," he said. |
| It just stops you in your tracks when you see people pass out in front of you Matt Dawson Wacky London racers In pictures: Fun runners | It just stops you in your tracks when you see people pass out in front of you Matt Dawson Wacky London racers In pictures: Fun runners |
| Other competitors included model Nell McAndrew, Olympic hurdle champion Sally Gunnell, wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan and rugby star Matt Dawson. | Other competitors included model Nell McAndrew, Olympic hurdle champion Sally Gunnell, wheelchair basketball player Ade Adepitan and rugby star Matt Dawson. |
| Michelle Dewberry, winner of the BBC television show The Apprentice last year, said she saw someone who had collapsed being resuscitated after about four miles. | Michelle Dewberry, winner of the BBC television show The Apprentice last year, said she saw someone who had collapsed being resuscitated after about four miles. |
| She said: "I have seen lots of people passed out and being resuscitated. It is scary, scary stuff." | She said: "I have seen lots of people passed out and being resuscitated. It is scary, scary stuff." |
| Matt Dawson, a members of England's rugby World Cup team, said the conditions were "brutal". | Matt Dawson, a members of England's rugby World Cup team, said the conditions were "brutal". |
| "I have seen it has really had an effect on some people. It just stops you in your tracks when you see people pass out in front of you," he said. | "I have seen it has really had an effect on some people. It just stops you in your tracks when you see people pass out in front of you," he said. |
| Kenya's Martin Lel won the men's race in an upset for favourites Haile Gebrselassie and reigning world marathon record holder Paul Tergat. | Kenya's Martin Lel won the men's race in an upset for favourites Haile Gebrselassie and reigning world marathon record holder Paul Tergat. |
| Runners were advised to drink water frequently | Runners were advised to drink water frequently |
| The UK's number one, Jon Brown, withdrew because of sickness. | The UK's number one, Jon Brown, withdrew because of sickness. |
| Favourite Chunxiu Zhou from China won the women's race, while Briton Dave Weir retained his wheelchair title. | Favourite Chunxiu Zhou from China won the women's race, while Briton Dave Weir retained his wheelchair title. |
| Earlier, London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said that more than 1,300 first aid volunteers from St John Ambulance and over 100 doctors were out on the course, including some of the world's leading medical experts. | Earlier, London Marathon chief executive Nick Bitel said that more than 1,300 first aid volunteers from St John Ambulance and over 100 doctors were out on the course, including some of the world's leading medical experts. |
| Organisers installed four run-through showers along the route and added an extra 2,600 bottles of water to the normal stock of 25,000 bottles at each station to help runners deal with the high temperatures. | Organisers installed four run-through showers along the route and added an extra 2,600 bottles of water to the normal stock of 25,000 bottles at each station to help runners deal with the high temperatures. |
| Firefighter Garry Speakman, from Manchester, hopes to break the record for the fastest marathon in full fire uniform. | Firefighter Garry Speakman, from Manchester, hopes to break the record for the fastest marathon in full fire uniform. |
| And Londoner Angus MacFadyen aims to take the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon on crutches. | And Londoner Angus MacFadyen aims to take the Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon on crutches. |
| There were 36,500 people running in the London Marathon. Were you watching? Send us your photos of the Marathon. | There were 36,500 people running in the London Marathon. Were you watching? Send us your photos of the Marathon. |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial +44 (0)7725 100 100. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |