TEN years ago the Edinburgh Marathon Festival saw just 3,000 people contest the 5k, 10k, half and full marathon races held.

This year the event attracted 29,000 runners with Okehampton Running Club members Roger and Rachel Voaden and Marilyn Cooper among those who converged on the city.

Roger and Rachel ran in the half marathon. Roger, fully recovered from his London Marathon run, was placed an excellent 42nd overall, and was the third MV45 finishing in 1 hour 21 minutes 29 seconds. He was in time to cheer on his wife, Rachel, as she crossed the line in 2.21.03.

After the half marathon runners had been sent on their way along the first part of the marathon course through Holyrood Park and on to Musselburgh, the 12,000 marathon runners took their place at the start line.

Taking on the 26.2 mile distance, Marilyn had a good race to finish in 4.06.29 which placed her 10th FV55. Roger and Marilyn achieved UKA gold awards for their times.

Marilyn was running for the charity 'Edgar's Gift' — which supports young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 who are suffering from cancer.

She will be joining the 'Cycling the 92' team to drive the support vehicle for her son and his friend as they begin their 2,400 mile cycle ride to all 92 football league grounds in order to raise awareness for Edgar's Gift.

Club member Debbie Bryant took part in the Coastal Trail Series Endurance Life series 10 kilometre run at Mothecombe.

She finished in 1.29.57 – a superb effort as the course was actually 8.4 miles long and graded as strenuous with its beach crossings and trails around the beautiful Flete Estate.