Local running hero Derek Montgomery says he went through "mixed emotions" as he completed the impressive task of running his TENTH London Marathon.

Thousands of athletes gathered in the UK capital at the weekend to take on the annual event, but for Derek, it was nothing he hadn't seen before.

After a rollercoaster year, the 52-year-old from Craigens headed south to take on his tenth - and what he says is his final - run through the streets of London.

Since his run in the marathon last year, Derek has gone through the birth of his grand-daughter, a period in crutches following an injury, a serious lorry accident and a bout of Covid.

Cumnock Chronicle: Derek and wife, Sharon (Image- Derek Montgomery)Derek and wife, Sharon (Image- Derek Montgomery) (Image: Derek Montgomery)

However, none of that diverted him from his task of racking up double figures for London Marathon runs.

Derek said the race went well apart from the unexpected heat. The weather forecast on the two days previous were for heavy rain but by Sunday morning that had changed to warm sunshine.

As he went through London City past Canary Wharf the temperature was 28 degrees on the digital screen above. 

The train strikes over the weekend also played a part and as Derek stood on the platform in Essex to head into London the staff announced the train was cancelled.

Cumnock Chronicle: Derek enjoying a well-earned rest (Image- Derek Montgomery)Derek enjoying a well-earned rest (Image- Derek Montgomery) (Image: Derek Montgomery)

Luckily a family, who were traveling to the marathon, kindly took him by car into the city.

Derek's final marathon was in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and he raised £5,405 to date. This took his fundraising for cancer charities to £47,000.

Derek has raised money for Cancer Research UK, Children With Cancer UK and Macmillan but although the marathon running is over he still plans to continue with raising money and looking towards a new challenge for 2023 with a few ideas already in the pipeline.

But for now, Derek and wife Sharon are going to enjoy a few days break in London to celebrate their anniversary before the new chapter begins on his next venture.