ALL THE training had been done but it was guts, determination and sheer willpower that brought all four runners from Okehampton Medical Centre crashing through the finishing line at the London Marathon on Sunday, boosting the appeal for Okehampton's new hospital by over £7,000.

Doctors Paul Nielson and Nick Woodall, dispenser Lyn Winearls and receptionist Caroline Long have fulfilled a dream. But the gruelling 26-mile challenge was not without incident as after nine miles, Caroline sustained a shin injury which threatened to scupper her hopes of finishing.

Ignoring advice from health experts and despite being in 'absolute agony', the Sticklepath resident was not going home without her medal and seven and a half hours after she started the medal was hers.

Speaking on Monday, Caroline, who is now on crutches, described how the crowd kept her going by shouting her name and the kindness of people who even offered her money to get a taxi home.

'It was incredible — the people were fantastic out there and even Frank Bruno was shouting my name and telling me I could do it,' she said.

'I just kept thinking of why I was there — for my mum, for the hospital — and all the training I had done, there was no-way I could go home with nothing.'

The medical receptionist, who is splitting her sponsorship between a charity which supports arthritis sufferers like her mother and the hospital, walked the last part of the marathon and teamed up with another fundraiser who she talked to about 'anything and everything' to keep her going.

'It was really emotional come the end — all the roads had been opened up but the crowds were still there willing you on,' added Caroline. 'I will never forget it.'

Meanwhile Dr Nielson, who has been the driving force behind Okehampton's new hospital and raised thousands as an individual for the appeal, completed the marathon in 4 hrs and 14 mins. He said the atmosphere was brilliant and the sense of community extraordinary.

'You have the feeling that the whole of London is with you and it really does drive you along. My legs were wobbling by the end and I don't believe I could have run another 200 yards.'

The doctor has praised his patients, over 500 of whom sponsored him for the run.

'Their support made the difference — without them I would never have done it and as for Caroline, I just think she is totally amazing.'

Dr Nick Woodall came in 9,990th out of 32,600 finishers with a time of 3hrs 53 mins and is just itching to do it again and Lyn Winearls, who raised nearly £2,000 for multiple sclerosis, a disease which affects her mother, came in in 4hrs and 20 mins.

It is hoped this latest drive for the hospital equipment appeal which now stands at over £200,000 will inspire others to raise funds and give the appeal a final boost before the hospital opens later this year.

l Bratton Clovelly resident Robert James had to pull out of the marathon at the eleventh hour because of an accident at work.

The farmer, who was running for his daughter who has Downs Syndrome, said he was devastated but had to follow doctor's advice.

Robert's fundraising effort for the Downs Sydrome Association started last month with an auction at the Clovelly Inn which raised £2,500. That money will still go to the charity.

l Other local marathon runners included Judith Anstey from Highampton who was running for trhe Winsford Trust, Patrick Faulkner from Black Torrington running for Devon Air Ambulance, Bryan Friend and Andrew Vallance.