PUPILS at a Wharfedale school were in no doubt who their hero was in the Flora London Marathon.

Forget women's race winner Paula Radcliffe or overall victor Khalid Khanouchi who knocked four seconds off the world record as he broke the tape in 2hrs 05 min 38sec.

The real number one for the children of Otley's St Joesph's RC Primary School was their headteacher Christine Russell.

Her time of 4hrs 9min was far more modest but the reward for the children is the figure of £2,000 Mrs Russell is likely to raise from sponsorship money to furnish their computer suite.

Mrs Russell, 49, said: "I did surprisingly well. I don't feel too bad, although I'm aching a little bit. Of course one of the children asked the inevitable question of did you win."

Mrs Russell wentinto school on Monday in her running clothes, to show pupils what she wore in the race.

Fundraising manager of the Yeadon-based British Epilepsy Association, Paul Tranter, raised cheers from the crowds and turned a few heads as he took on the course dressed as a 7ft high mobile phone, publicising the charity's epilepsy helpline.

He completed the marathon in 3 hours 48 minutes. His previous best time in the race was 2 hours 59 minutes, but he had never run in costume before.

He said: "It was certainly an interesting experience. It got very hot inside the costume, and I ghot dehydrated. The crowd was amazing, and they really responded to the mobile phone. They cheered the whole of the 26 miles."

Mr Tranter's pre-race training included a short run in Otley to get the hang of wearing the costume, which attracted some surprised looks from passers-by. He hopes to have raised around £3,000 for the BEA.

Veteran runner Hilary Wharam, of Layton Park Croft, Rawdon, this year put on her running shoes in aid of Otley Action for Older people. She has previously run the marathon to raise money for other local charities, including Aireborough Voluntary Services for the Elderly with Disabilities.

Mrs Wharam, 60, of Layton Park Croft, completed the course in 4 hours 17 minutes. She took up running in her 50s, and had run the marathon five times before.

She said: "It was quite a bit slower than last year, but I did the best I could on the day."

She is still collecting in the sponsorship money, but hopes she has raised around £1,500, towards OAOP's minibus appeal.

Freelance medical writer Val Kerr, from Langbar, completed the course in three hours 33 minutes.

The 44-year-old began a strict training programme at Christmas which saw her running up to 48 miles a week with some help from her Labrador-Retriever, Barley.

She said: "I like to run with the dog, who paces me, and I think that stood me in good stead in the marathon itself!

"I had a really good run and it was an amazing, excellent experience. I have only raced in one marathon before, in Edinburgh, and I knocked ten minutes off my time there so I'm pretty pleased.

"The weather was perfect for running, cool but sunny, and I will definitely be taking part again. But at the moment I'm just relishing the memories of this one."

The mother-of-two, who is married to Mark, hopes to have raised more than £2,000 for children's charity ChildLine through her efforts.

Lee Teal, meanwhile, manager of Bodies Health Club in Ilkley, is still smarting from failing to smash his own target of four hours.

The 27-year-old, who managed a respectable four hours 20 minutes, said: "It was my first marathon so I did alright, but I really wanted to break the four hours barrier.

"I actually did the first 21 miles in three hours and was making good time, but then I got muscle cramps and it all went pear shaped.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere, though, taking part in a race with more than 30,000 competitors and about three times as many spectators."

Along with gym member and running partner Peter Bedwell, Mr Teal hopes to have raised more than £2,500 for British Epilepsy.

Mr Bedwell, 44, crossed the finishing line in London in three hours 57 minutes a fact which is providing Mr Teal with all the inspiration he needs for his next race.

He said: "He was a bit more dedicated than me in training, and got a much better time as a result!

"So I've got to try it again even though I'm walking a bit funny at the moment!"

Bramhope baker Brian Mann completed his first London Marathon in four hours and 30 minutes.

Mr Mann, 41, who works at The Village Bakery, was one of 24 people who ran for the National Heart Research Fund.

Helen Grimditch, fundraising manager, said: "I'd like to thank Brian for all his fundraising work and training. He made a fantastic effort and the money he has raised will be used to fund vital research into heart disease."

Mr Mann, a former soldier, used to serve meals to front-line troops in the Gulf War.