AS RUNNERS pounded the streets of London in aid of charity four soldiers held their own, harder marathon in Iraq.

Weymouth’s Lance Corporal Ralph Purring-ton was among the men to set off on a 26.2-mile course – seven laps of their camp – to coincide with the capital’s event.

LCpl Purrington, of the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers corps attached to 5 Rifles Battlegroup, managed the run in seven hours, despite having 15kg weights in his rucksack.

Organisers of the Flora London Marathon sent four medals out to Iraq and the soldiers were greeted with cheers and an award ceremony on their return.

LCpl Purrington of Radipole, said: “We ran the marathon in Iraq with 15kg in a rucksack on our backs.

“It was organised by Corporal Brian Bell and Lance Corporal Rob Kane and Private Mohan Linbu also took part. We carried the weights to make it more interesting.”

The former Radipole Primary and Wey Valley School pupil braved an early start to avoid the scorching heat of the midday sun.

He said: “We set off at 3am on Sunday morning, kept a steady pace and finished at 10am.

“It was 10 or 11 degrees when we left and by the time we finished the temperature was in the high 20s.

“A truck followed us around the course to make sure it was the correct distance and to hand out water.”

He added: “It’s the first London Marathon I’ve done and I feel fine today.

“I was a little stiff on Sunday afternoon.”

The event raised more than £1,000 in aid of Project 65, which distributes money to military charities such as Help the Heroes.

Other events including camel racing – without real camels, and a football competition have helped the 5 Rifles Battlegroup to raise just over £37,000 for charity since the start of their tour.

To support the cause visit the Just Giving site at www.justgiving.com/5rifles