JULIE Shand, 46, from Didcot, ran the 26-mile course for Brookfields Special school in Tilehurst.

She has run three marathons before, and was hoping to smash her personal best of four hours and 17 minutes, but like many others was surprised by the sudden heat wave, and finished in four hours, 38 minutes and 21 seconds.

She said: “I am feeling a bit sore, and a bit disappointed – it was hard work.

“The main problem was the heat, we’ve been training in the winter, but I threw most of my drinking water over myself.

“It was really congested as well. I must have run an extra mile just weaving in and out of people.”

But she said the atmosphere was inspiring.

“There wasn’t a spot around the course that didn’t have supporters cheering – they were so loud.”

Mrs Shand chose the Brookfields school because her brother Dan Burton’s step son Cameron attends.

She raised £250 for the school which will be doubled by the Greenham Common Community Trust.