Mark Sankey, 47, from Prestwich finished in three hours 44 minutes, one of a team of World Jewish Relief runners which brought in a combined £30,000. Mr Sankey, who works in computing, fundraised by offering his IT skills in return for a donation.

"WJR is a charity that means so much to me and running the marathon was a perfect opportunity to not only keep fit but also to give something back to the organisation."

Another WJR runner was Richard Verber, 26, originally from Manchester and now living in Golders Green, who finished in 4:42 and raised more than £2,000.

Mr Verber, director of education at the Union of Jewish Students, has no love of running and has "never done anything like this before.

"A friend who ran it last year bullied me into doing it by being nice and encouraging me.

"I ran for WJR because I think it's really important to have a professional Jewish charity that is able to act as a conduit for Jewish donations to go to non-Jewish causes as well as doing excellent work for Jewish communities across Eastern Europe and elsewhere.

"I've worked with them over the last few years since I've been at UJS and have been really impressed by how they operate."

Parker Crockford (4:40) said completing the race had given him "a great sense of accomplishment - but I don't want to think about how my legs will feel in an hour".

Other WJR runners were Steven Chait (4:30), Gabriela Halmová (4:20), Elliot Goodman (4;40), Jonathan Rubins (4:54), Alastair Curtis (4:14), Gael McKowen-Oldfield (4:12), Bernard Manson (4:48) and Marc Umhoefer (4:13).

"They all did us proud," said WJR's Laura Grossman, "raising vital funds to support the vulnerable communities we work with around the world".