Runners around the Norwich area are starting to get the feeling back in their feet, after helping to raise thousands of pounds for charity in the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday.

The sight of an inflatable Canary at the finish line was the crowning moment for Robert Todd, who smashed his four-hour target.

Robert, managing partner at Ferry Road architects Feilden and Mawson, completed the famous 26.2-mile course in 3 hours and 48 minutes.

He said: 'My wife Maria and my two children Sophie and Sam were sitting in the grandstand on the final straight and cheered me across the finish line.

'My nine-year-old son, Sam, was wearing his yellow Norwich City football top and was waving an inflatable Canary so I could easily spot him.'

Robert raised �3,000 for the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Society. He added: 'At the start there is a mix of nerves and excitement. The most difficult part for me was the section from Docklands to the Tower of London in miles 21 to 23. My legs were aching and I knew I still had several miles to go.

'There are several goose bump moments, in particular when I was running over Tower Bridge. The crowds there were superb. Another moment is turning that final corner outside Buckingham Palace into The Mall. The hairs just stand up on the back of your neck.'

Helen Mian and Charlie Wootton, both 44, ran the marathon for Parkinson's UK, joining 213 other runners who were running for the charity, which hopes to raise �300,000 from the event.

Helen from West Parade, off Earlham Road, Norwich completed the challenge in three hours and 54 minutes and Charlie, from Devon Way, Trowse, finished in four hours and 13 minutes.

They were joined by 52-year-old Rick Cadman, 52, also from Norwich, who finished in four hours and 29 minutes.

Kevin Sparkes, from Taverham, took part in his first marathon to raise an expected �1,800 for Leonard Cheshire Disability, which supports thousands of disabled people in the UK. The 43-year-old crossed the finish line in four hours and 13 minutes.

While former Norwich School pupil James Wild raised �1,672 for bereaved children's charity Nelson's Journey, finishing in four hours 22 minutes and three seconds.

The 35-year-old avid Norwich City fan, who now lives in London, chose the charity after his niece, Hannah, heard a talk about Nelson's Journey at her school, Eaton Primary.

- Send us your marathon pictures and details of how much you raised for charity at www.iwitness24.co.uk