London marathon runners in Harborough: 'I was just simply overwhelmed when I finished!' says Sylvia

Sylvia Price completes her marathon and arrives at SB Gym in Lutterworth and help raise funds for the Guide Dogs for the blind.
PICTURE: STEVE PRICE — Sylvia Price completes her marathon and arrives at SB Gym in Lutterworth and help raise funds for the Guide Dogs for the blind. PICTURE: STEVE PRICE

A gutsy runner is walking on air after completing the gruelling London Marathon on Sunday October 4.

Sylvia Price started the virtual version of the iconic 26.2-mile race in Market Harborough’s Welland Park at 9am.

And the 58-year-old crossed the line a very creditable 4 hours 53 minutes later at the SB Health and Fitness gym on Leicester Road, Lutterworth, where she works.

“I was just simply overwhelmed when I finished!

“This was my first marathon – and I’ve never actually run over 17 miles before at one time,” said Sylvia, of Husbands Bosworth.

“So to finish in one piece and smash 5 hours was fantastic.

“A lot of my Park Run buddies rolled up to get me off to the best start possible in Welland Park.

“I then ran on to Lubenham and Marston Trussell before climbing up the huge hills to Sibbertoft and heading on to Husbands Bosworth.

“The first 13 miles of the race went fine.

“But when I got to Husbands Bosworth I did think I could just break off and pop home!

“Brilliant endurance runner Stu Humber, who was running with me, gave me a kick up the backside.

“And we battled on through the Kilworths and Walcote before finally reaching our gym in Lutterworth.

“I had family and friends run with me, too, for stretches and their support was crucial in helping to get it done.

“I am achey, of course, but I’m still very much walking on air – I’m just totally elated.”

Making her huge achievement even greater was the fact that mum-of-two Sylvia confronted her first marathon after taking part in a killer 24-hour relay run around Lutterworth on Saturday September 19.

“I racked up about 54 miles over the 24 hours on the 4.5-mile course.

“It was certainly some warm-up!

“I’m also setting out to tot up £2,000 for Guide Dogs for the Blind and I’m well on the way,” said Sylvia, who has a daughter Catherine, 30, and son Steve, 28.

“It’s a tremendous cause and I’m grateful for every penny that people can donate to help me hit my target.”

If you would like to help Sylvia, you can visit her online fundraising page here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=SylviaPrice&pageUrl=1