Not even the April showers could dampen the spirits of the thousands of runners who competed in the 30^th Virgin London Marathon 2010. By 7pm this evening, 36,549 had crossed the finish line in The Mall after Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, had set a record 36,984 on their way from Greenwich, the largest field ever in the 30^th year of the event.

There were emotional scenes as athletes realised the fruits of their efforts when they finally crossed the finishing line. For some the pain was to much too bare and for others the 26 plus miles looked like a stroll in the park.

Kenya’s dominance in the men’s elite competition was brushed aside by Ethiopian Tsegaye Kebede,  who won in a time of two hours, five minutes and 19 seconds after passing Kenya’s Emmanuel Mutai, the runner-up with the ‘evergreen’ Moroccan Jaouad Gharib was third for the second year in a row in 2:06:55.

There was one Royal winner, in Princess Beatrice, who crossed the line in 5:13:03 as part of a 34-person human caterpillar, claiming a Guinness World Record for the most linked runners to run a marathon.

The chain also included Sam and Holly Branson, Sir Richard’s children. Sir Richard himself crossed the line 5:02:24 surrounded by his team of celebrities who include legendary distance runner Tegla Loroupe and Natalie Imbruglia.

Other celebs included Ricky Whittle,

Michelle Ryan (pictured) and Michelle Heaton; Heaton collapsed on the finishing line and received treatment from the St Johns ambulance.

There’s only hours to go before the start of the Virgin London Marathon 2010, but whilst most of us were enjoying the mini heat-wave in the South East, fighting fit Aussie,  pop princess Natalie Imbruglia was gearing up for one of life’s most grueling challenges.

Natalie Imbruglia who was pictured near Tower Bridge said; ‘I’m really up for the challenge.’

Andrew Wickes, (kick-boxer) who completed the London Marathon in 2004 said; ‘joking aside even though I was really fit and healthy, nothing really prepares you for the challenge that lies ahead. The worst part is around the 20-23 mile  mark when you hit the physical pain threshold. There after it’s purely about your mental strength.

‘When you cross that finishing line it’s incredibly emotional.’ reported Mr. Wickes