VETERAN Porlock runner Nora Maw has run her last marathon, completing a race in Hamburg, Germany, and raising funds for The Samaritans.

Sixty-seven-year-old Nora took part in the marathon with her husband Richard, aged 69, solicitor son Thomas, who lives in London, and brother John Mortimer.

Nora decided on Hamburg for her final event because it was the first marathon she ran about seven years ago and because she and Richard have another son, Michael, who lives in the city.

She said: “We had a really enjoyable weekend, and it was great to be able to make the marathon a family affair.

“The marathon was a very enjoyable event, despite being harder than any of us expected, partly due to the weather being hotter than we would have liked.

“The whole city of Hamburg embraced it, and there was support all the way around the course with people shouting and cheering, with lots of people out on their balconies, even four storeys up, with the windows open and music blaring out.

“Our race numbers had our first names printed on them and it was really warming to hear our names being called out in encouragement, and it certainly helped to keep us going.

“One of the best aspects was the drum bands which were positioned all along the route, and they kept playing throughout the entire run.

“There were lots of water stations with water, energy drinks, pieces of banana, and members of the public, especially children, holding out jelly sweets for us to take.

“All in all, it was great, and none of us did any walking although there were plenty around us who did.”

Nora achieved her Samaritans fund-raising goal of £1,200 before the marathon and is now just short of £1,500 which she hopes can be reached.

She said: “Everybody has been very generous, and I would like to say a big thank you for all the support, you gave me the incentive to keep going when my legs and feet did not want to.”

Now, Nora, a Minehead Running Club member, will concentrate on half-marathons and shorter events.