A RUNNING coach beat the heat and the return of an old injury to complete his second full marathon for a cancer charity.

John Brant, a coach with Darlington Harriers, finished the London Marathon in four hours 43 minutes nine seconds.

Although Mr Brant was disappointed with the time, he said an old injury flared up after 17 miles which forced him to struggle through the final third.

Mr Brant, from Darlington, raised £772 for the North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund.

In 2006, he completed his first marathon, also at London, in a time of four hours 19 minutes eight seconds.

Mr Brant said: "An old injury flared up at 17 miles and I had a struggle to complete the last nine miles, otherwise I would have had a decent time but we got there, and it was all worth while.

"I raised a total of £772 for the North of England Children's Cancer Research Fund. Of that £286 was raised by sponsorship from work, Mechtool Engineering, who very kindly match that figure therefore £572 was raised by work. The remainder was raised by other donations.

"I would like to thank all who supported me."

Mr Brant has run for nearly 30 years and also completed several half marathons during his career.