AN army of runners from South Bucks hit the streets of London on Sunday to take part in the world's most famous marathon.

Fundraisers from around the county flocked to the capital on Sunday for the 21st Flora London Marathon, with some returning home claiming they left one or two famous faces lagging behind.

Dick Taplin, of Ellsworth Road, High Wycombe, went to the 26.2 mile race with one thing on his mind to beat Olympic rower Sir Steven Redgrave's finishing time. And the 52-year-old did just that in 3hrs 34 mins.

Retired Dick, who raised £2,500 for The Miscarriage Association, explained: "I did brilliantly. I beat Sir Steven and he's got a gold medal from the Olympics."

Sir Steven, of Marlow Bottom, completed the gruelling race in 4hrs 55 mins, just one second ahead of his wife Lady Ann.

Another runner, Beky Hughes, of Cameron Road, Chesham, spotted Britain's top rower and retired boxer Frank Bruno among the runners.

The 22-year-old, who took just over five hours to finish, said: "I may even do it again next year but I'll think about that tomorrow maybe."

Alison Adamson, 35, of Kestrel Close, High Wycombe, finished the race 8 minutes short of 5 hours.

John King, 35, ran to raise money for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home charity with a team of 17 runners from around the county.

He said: "I'm flying out to the Canary Islands for a holiday to recuperate. The crowds made running an unbelievable experience. It was absolutely fantastic."

John Fifield, of Tylers Green, Chris Pritchard, of Beaconsfield, and Brian Engles, of Bourne End, ran with John.

Trevor Murphy, who also ran for Iain Rennie, said: "We got a lot of support from everyone along the way.

"It was absolutely brilliant."

The 36-year-old, of Wakeman Road, Bourne End, who completed the marathon in 4hrs 24mins, raised £2,000 for the charity.

Olivia Nichols, a field marketing manager who works in Marlow, had her whole office out to cheer her on.

The 26-year-old said: "I felt like I had won. There was an absolutely amazing atmosphere."

Kevin Bennell, 44, ran the marathon to raise cash for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund after the charity helped him get over the disease.

The father-of-two, of Oakley Lane, Chinnor, who ran for 4hrs 22mins before crossing the finish line, explained: "I did better than I expected to as I was planning for about five hours. But I was just grateful to get round."

Three members of the Wycombe Phoenix Harriers completed the race in good time.

Roger Smith, running his 15th London Marathon, recorded a time of 4hrs 26mins, Dave Crowley, competing for the 5th time, finished in 3hrs 40mins and Michael Aperghis, running his second marathon, managed it in 3hrs 19mins.

Other Bucks runners who crossed the finish line included Rob Brighouse, 43, of Sheenstock, Haddenham, who ran for the Stroke Association in 3hrs 50mins, and Maggie Evans, 35, of Station Road, Haddenham, who ran for Asthma Research in 5hrs and 30mins.