A WOMAN from Bridgwater ran the London Marathon in memory of her father, last month.

For 62-year-old Sharon Rayner, who has worked in the NHS for over 40 years, the London Marathon marked her first ever marathon.

“I watched it on the telly and thought 'I could do that'."

Sharon's feat has raised over £1,000 for Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, in memoriam of her father.

“I got a place for it last year, but I couldn’t do it as my dad had just passed away.

“I said I’d do it this year for dad.

“I carried a little photograph of him with me."

Despite only running a maximum distance of six miles in her training, Sharon managed to push through and complete the entire 26.2 miles, spurred on by a promise she made to her late father.

“I didn’t do much training if I’m totally honest," she explained.

"Having dad pass away, and my mum has become unwell.

“When I’m not working, I’m looking after my mum."

She added: “I’m just quite stubborn and wanted to do it for Dad, I promised him I’d do it.

“I’m one of those people that when I promise something I will do it.”