A raft of Isle of Wight faces laced up their running shoes for the London Marathon over the weekend.

Thousands of people took to the streets in the capital for the annual event.

Here are just some of the Islanders who took part (that we know of).

Scroll down to find out how they got on and which causes they were running for...


Michelle Martin

Isle of Wight County Press: Michelle in the London Marathon.Michelle in the London Marathon. (Image: Michelle Martin)


For Michelle, the run could not have gone any better, she said.

She managed an impressive time of four hours, 52 minutes and 31 seconds.

She told the County Press: "I loved it! The crowd support in London was phenomenal and included Isle of Wight supporters and my friends and family."

Michelle is a member of Ryde Harriers and is raising money for Seaclose swimming club, for the Island Games swim team.

She doesn't have long to wait until her next challenge, either.

Next month (May), she'll compete in the 100 mile Ride London. And in September, she'll do the Swim Serpentine 2 mile challenge as part of the London Classics.


Jane Karabasic
 

This was the second marathon for Jane Karabasic, who ran to raise money for the Isle of Wight Youth Trust.

Despite saying 'never again', after completing the very hilly Isle of Wight Marathon, she finishes in just six hours and 15 mins.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jane proudly holds her medal.Jane proudly holds her medal. (Image: Jane Karabasic)

She said: "I had a great time, the crowds were very supportive."

Jane ran alongside co-worker Sandrine Dartigues.


Kate Couch

 

Isle of Wight County Press: Kate with her medal.Kate with her medal. (Image: Kate Couch)

Running the marathon for East Cowes-based charity, MAD-Aid, was former County Press reporter, Kate Couch.

The marathon was four years in the making for the 48-year-old, who got chosen for the 2020 London Marathon, at only the fourth time of trying.

That run was put on hold, when the county went into lockdown due to the Covid pandemic.

Kate chose to switch her entry to April 2022, which was then moved to October 2022, but she tested positive for Covid-19 in the week of the marathon - which meant she couldn’t even travel up to London to watch it.

Finally able to take part, she managed to finish in six hours and 11 minutes, which was impressive given she hasn't run for six weeks.


Matt Jacobs
 

Experienced runner, Matt Jacobs, completed the marathon in just three hours and 13 minutes — a new personal best!

Matt's wife and two daughters were there to cheer him on and said they couldn't be prouder.

He has completed many half marathons and two full marathons - but this was his first time in London.

Matt competed for the Ryde Harriers.

Isle of Wight County Press: Matt celebrating his new personal best.Matt celebrating his new personal best. (Image: Matt Jacobs)


Hollie Colebrook

Isle of Wight County Press: Hollie with her medal.Hollie with her medal. (Image: Hollie Colebrooke)


Raising money for Mountbatten, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Pet Blood Bank UK was Hollie.

She set herself the target of finishing in six hours and 30 minuted but completed the run in five hours and 48 minuted.

She said she is "very pleased".


Liz Parkes
 

Isle of Wight County Press: Liz Parkes is running for Motor Neurone Disease Association.Liz Parkes is running for Motor Neurone Disease Association. (Image: Liz Parkes/Just Giving.)


In what was only her second ever marathon, keen runner, Liz Parkes, set a new personal best.

She finished in three hours and 49 minutes, beating her 2017 time at a marathon in Brighton by 31 minutes.

She said: "Such an amazing atmosphere especially at Cutty Sark and Canary Wharf. But Tower Bridge is something that will stay with me forever. Just incredible. It was a massive tick off the bucket list."

Liz won her place via a ballot, after seven years of trying.

She ran in aid of the Isle of Wight Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association charity.

In 2018, Liz lost her dad to MND.

She described him as "selfless, kind and caring. A true gentleman. An amazing dad to me and Fran, and husband to my mum, for almost 50 years."

So far Liz has raised around £2,000.


Wayne Matthews


Running his third ever marathon was Islander, Wayne.

He took on the course fresh from October's Isle of Wight event, which he completed in three hours, 10 minutes and 13 seconds. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Wayne Matthews is running this third marathon.Wayne Matthews is running this third marathon. (Image: Wayne Matthews.)

His target was to get under three hours, which he achieved, notching up a time of two hours, 58 minutes and eight seconds. 

He is hopeful of qualifying for next year's event with a 'good for age time'.


Iain Seabrook
 

Isle of Wight County Press: Iain with his medal.Iain with his medal. (Image: Iain Seabrook.)

Iain Seabrook has raised £3,300 for St Catherine's School thanks to his London Marathon run.

The local roofer is a retired footballer, and currently coaches youth football.

He finished in an impressive five hours and 29 minutes.


Leslie Newton

 

Leslie Newton's first ever marathon proved to be a success.

She ran it in just four hours and 52 minutes.

"I loved every minute of it", she told the County Press.

"All my friends came to Support me and cheer me on, and I've had so many lovely messages."

Isle of Wight County Press: Leslie Newton at the London Marathon.Leslie Newton at the London Marathon. (Image: Leslie Newton)

Leslie took part for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and in memory of her mum, Linda Newton. 

So far more than £3,000 has been raised for the charity.


Sarah Tyrrell-Jones

 

Sarah Tyrrell-Jones was running the marathon for the second time.

Finishing up with a time of six hours and 47 minutes, Sarah is an Island community fundraiser for the charity Breast Cancer Now.

Isle of Wight County Press: Sarah at the London MarathonSarah at the London Marathon (Image: Sarah Tyrrell-Jones)


Lucy DeVille

 

Lucy DeVille ran the London Marathon for the first time at 70 years old.

She raised funds for The Institute for Cancer Vaccines and Immunotherapy, a charity which aims to improve patients' survival rates and their quality of life for a wide range of cancers.

The run went well for Lucy, who said it 'was tough, but an amazing experience'.

Finishing up with time of five hours and 25 minutes, she is very happy with herself! 

Isle of Wight County Press: Lucy with her Marathon medalLucy with her Marathon medal (Image: Lucy DeVille)


Sarah Crabb
 

For Sarah, it was an 'epic and emotional' day.

She finished in a respectable four hours, 45 minutes and 14 seconds, which she estimates to be a new personal best.

She said: "Not at one point was there an area along the route that there wasn't someone cheering us all on.

"When I was leaving Horse Guards Parade about an hour after I finished the crowds were still there cheering on those still running - if anything louder than when I went past."

Isle of Wight County Press: Sarah holding her medal.Sarah holding her medal. (Image: Madeline Holmes)

Sarah has raised more than £2,000 for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust (so far).

She has already entered the ballot for next year's race!


Beverly Capon and Becky Egerton
 

Isle of Wight County Press: Becky and Beverly hold their medals aloft.Becky and Beverly hold their medals aloft. (Image: Becky and Beverly)

Running for Breast Cancer Now was Beverly and for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, was Becky Egerton.

The pair had a great run, Beverly told the County Press.

The last few miles were extra tough, she said, which was made worse when they got separated around the 21 mile mark.

Beverly completed it in around five hours, while Becky finished in five hours and 15 minutes.


Abigail Keyte 

 

Isle of Wight County Press: Abigail and her mum Abigail and her mum (Image: Abigail Keyte)

Abigail, 22, said the marathon was one of the best days of her life.

She ran alongside her mum, Bridget and finished in three hours, 54 minites and 51 seconds — a new personal best.

She said: "It was both our first London Marathon and I am already in the ballot for next year! 

"We're both apart of the Isle of Wight Road Runners who were great support on the course."