Farming figures took part in the 45th London Marathon on Sunday (April 27) which set a new world record for the number of finishers despite hot conditions in the capital.
Ex-草榴社区 Guardian journalist and NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns ran in support of .
'I thought I would put years of chasing sheep around the farm to the test and am proud to have completed my first marathon, in aid of The Firefighters Charity.
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"Nothing prepared me for the heat and crowded course, but the spectators' enthusiasm and support carried me through.
"I am delighted to have raised nearly £8,000 which goes towards helping those who selflessly help us in our hours of need."
London Marathon
Ms Binns ran in support of the charity after being rescued by firefighters after a hit and run car crash on the M6 in December 2023.
Paralympic gold medallist Sammi Kinghorn was amongst those taking part in the London Marathon.
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The sprinter, who was injured in an incident on her family farm, was one of the stars of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Speaking ahead of the marathon she said she was ‘not a naturally competitive person'.
"I love the training, but I put myself under too much pressure when it comes to racing," she said.
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"I get so nervous before races — it is like my central nervous system is under attack.
"I lost the enjoyment in competing. I am not a naturally competitive person. This is about getting that enjoyment back — and I think London is the perfect place to do it.
"The atmosphere is like nothing else, the crowd will be incredible, and nobody expects much of me – I am a sprinter first and foremost.. So I can just enjoy it. It is all part of focusing on myself a bit more."
Charity
NFU Herefordshire county adviser Ali Parker completed the marathon for charity .
Posting on X, NFU Midlands said: "Huge congratulations to @NFUHfds county adviser @AliMHParker for her sterling efforts running the @LondonMarathon
"Ali completed the gruelling feat in a time of 04:21:06 and is raising funds for charity ."
Scottish Conservative MP for Gordon and Buchan Harriet Cross, who has been vocal in campaigning against the changes to Inheritance Tax reform, became the fastest female MP to have completed the London marathon.
She crossed the finish line in three hours 21 minutes, setting the quickest time to have ever been recorded by a female MP.
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The record was previously three hours 57 minutes held by Jo Swinson, the Liberal Democrat leader in 2019.
Ms Cross was the fastest MP to have completed the race overall, while her party colleague, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie, was the second quickest with a time of three hours 58 minutes.
Rural MPs
Ms Cross said: "For many years I have wanted to run the London Marathon, and it did not disappoint.
"The crowds, the atmosphere and the overall experience was fantastic, even with the hot temperatures which were a test – especially for us Scots taking part," she said.
She added it was an added bonus to learn she had broken the record and had run in aid of charity .
Liberal Democrat rural affairs spokesperson Tim Farron ran the marathon in aid of Growing Well, a mental health intervention charity in Cumbria.
