Bride and groom wed in marathon

Katie Austin and Gordon Fryer, dressed in an ivory bridal gown and morning suit, exchanged vows on Tower Bridge - halfway round the 26.2 mile route.

Ms Austin, 25, said they asked friends and family to make donations to charity rather than buying wedding presents.

The pair from Romsey, Hampshire, have raised £12,000 for Help the Hospices.

Also taking part were Ms Austin's parents, Tina and Bob, who gave their daughter away in the Bridge Master's dining room on Tower Bridge.

After the 80-minute ceremony the newly weds were showered with confetti by cheering guests and well wishers before heading for the finish line.

Full-length dress

Speaking at the start of the race Mr Austin said: "It's a very emotional day giving your daughter away and what a day to do it.

"I didn't think there would be this many at the wedding and I am certainly not getting the first round in."

Wearing a full-length ivory wedding dress Ms Austin said they had decided to get married during the marathon to "capture the imagination of family and friends".

She said she hadn't tried running in the dress before: "It's absolutely filthy already... but we're not taking ourselves too seriously today."

Mr Fryer said he would carry his bride over the finish line "if I've got enough strength left in me".

The couple plan to go on honeymoon next week, once they have fully recovered.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Southwark Council
London Marathon
London Marathon 2006
Help the Hospices
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