Western Morning News journalist Alan Williams is celebrating after completing Sunday’s London marathon in less than three and a half hours.

Alan, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, is planning to run 31 races of 10k or more this year to raise cash towards a treatment for the illness.

The 31-year-old sub-editor, who finished in a highly-creditable time of 3:22:29,was one of several UK regional journalists who took part in the event.

They also included Sharon Harris of the Barry and District News, who completed her third London marathon in a row in a time of 7:20:18.

Sharon, 39, was once again racing to raise funds for the Pituitary Foundation after undergoing lifesaving neurosurgery in 2004 to remove a tumour from her pituitary gland.

Meanwhile Archant Herts and Cambs duo Nick Thompson and Dan Barden, who were raising cash for Children with Leukaemia, finished in 4:24:50 and 5:21:33 respectively.

Running her first marathon in aid of the Child Brain Injury Trust, Kent Messenger reporter Mary Graham managed a time of 4:49:00.

She told HTFP: “It was a great day and I was really happy to be a part of it after spending several years interviewing others about their involvement in the event.”

Former Bristol Evening Post journalist Simon Peevers, who underwent lifesaving heart surgery three years ago, also completed the course,

Simon, who was raising cash for the British Heart Foundation, finished in 5:24:54.

Last but not least, Jersey Evening Post internet editor Sue Le Ruez completed the 26.2 miles in 4:01:31.

<>Sue, who was running in aid of the British Heart Foundation, has lost count of the number of marathons she has run, but says it is over 15, including five in Jersey.