Book trade's runners complete hottest London Marathon on record

Members of the book trade braved the hottest London Marathon in history yesterday in the name of charity.

Among those making the marathon effort on Sunday (22nd April), pounding London's pavements for 26.2 miles amid soaring temperatures of 24C, were HQ editor Charlotte Mursell, Orion's Tom Noble, Springer Nature's Michael Drapper, Kobo's Lindsey Mooney, Transworld's Poppy Stimpson and Pearson chief executive John Fallon.

Mooney said: "My legs currently feel like they'll never work properly again, but I finished! Considering I normally try to keep my pasty celtic complexion out of the sun, running 26.2 miles in 24 degree heat was tough. It was an incredible experience, the crowd were wonderful and their cheering certainly helped. My finish time was way off what I'd trained for, but I'm utterly delighted that I raised £5,444 for Cancer Research UK. And there is still time to donate!"

Mursell said it was "insanely hot" but "one of the most incredible experiences I’ll ever do (and most likely never again!)"

"(It was) amazing to see so many people out cheering on the course and a particular highlight had to be being overtaken by a tree and making it onto the TV," she said, after running for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Poppy Stimpson and Michael Drapper post-marathon

Drapper added: "The heat certainly made the run more of a challenge than I’ve faced in any of my training, but the support from the side-lines was incredible. When you know the people you love are watching, and that you’re raising money for a good cause, it’s such a massive incentive to keep going. I might give take a short break until the next one though."

Poppy Stimpson,  publicity manager at Transworld Publishers, who ran on behalf of Health Poverty Action, said: "It was unbelievably tough – the heat was relentless and at times, dizzying. The crowds carried me through and seeing Tower Bridge looming ahead was amazing. I finished in 5hr 30 and am so proud of myself. And my feet are feeling pretty sorry for themselves today.”

Also taking part raising money for the Literacy Trust was Pearson's chief executive John Fallon. After completing the marathon, he tweeted: "Thanks for great support from @Literacy_Trust and #team fallon to help me over the finish line of a brilliantly organized @LondonMarathon. Will spare you photos from the finish - they weren't pretty - on a very hot day."