The hard grind of a single marathon is enough for most people, but one man completed three in just over a fortnight - the last while carrying a 3kg pestle and mortar.
Robert Bright, of Woodland Gardens, Isleworth, pounded the streets of Brighton, Manchester and London on consecutive weekends. He completed the London Marathon wearing a full chef's costume and lugging the weighty kitchen utensil.
The 23-year-old waiter was running in aid of ACROSS, which takes sick and disabled people on a Christian pilgrimage to Lourdes in France.
In 2013, he completed the Brighton and London marathons dressed as Scooby Doo, and the former St Mark's Catholic School pupil has also done a 13,000ft high skydive, a 300ft bungee jump and the London to Paris bike ride for charity - and he's not done yet!
"I woke up this morning feeling a little bit sad and a little lost seeing as it's all over now but then I realised it's all just beginning," he said.
"I'm now thinking about next year's venture and I'm looking at cycling 1,000 miles from Land's End to John O'Groats.
"So, time to start training next week, but I think I'll have a week off first."
You can still sponsor Robert at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=333.
Mr Bright was not the only local runner taking part in the London Marathon on Sunday (April 26) for charity. Below is a round-up of how some other contestants from Hounslow got on:
Sam was running the London Marathon to help those affected by heart disease, which killed his grandfather and briefly left his dad comatose following a cardiac arrest last year.
The 36-year-old, whose hereditary high cholesterol means he is also susceptible to the condition, completed the 26.2-mile course in three hours 36 minutes, knocking 12 minutes from his personal best.
He raised just over £2,300 for HEART UK, which supports people with inherited high cholesterol and campaigns for better detection and treatment of cholesterol related conditions - smashing his target of £1,750.
"Running for a cause so close to my heart, if you'll pardon the pun, really helped motivate me, especially during the last six miles, which were particularly punishing," said the customer marketing director, of Isleworth.
Patrick Liston
The 30-year-old chose to run for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) as both his dad and cousin have heart conditions.
Patrick, of Brentford, hopes to raise £2,500 to support the charity's research into heart disease, after crossing the finish line in 4 hours 20 minutes.
"Running the Virgin Money London Marathon was a massive challenge and an incredible experience," he said. "The atmosphere on the day was brilliant and I’m proud to have been part of the BHF Heart Runners team.
"Knowing I was running for such a great cause made me determined to succeed. It was fantastic to have everyone there cheering me on to the finish, knowing that my sponsorship money will help the BHF to raise much-needed funds for their pioneering research."
Lewis has raised £2,155 for Brentford-based charity Geoffs Place, which provides a holiday home for adults with learning disabilities.
The 59-year-old journalist, who lives in Hounslow and has two children, completed the course in four hours 23 minutes.
"The crowds were incredible and being in the same race as Paula Radcliffe made it a particularly memorable occasion," he said. "I'm delighted to have raised so much for an excellent local charity and want to thank everyone who supported me."
