Proving that marriage can be a bit of a marathon

Published on Sunday 26 April 2009 22:12

MARATHON bride Rachel Pitt made it to the church on time yesterday – she ran up the aisle with her fiancé Garry Keates at 3.15pm.

The couple had taken a half-mile detour from the route to become the first to tie the knot in a Christian ceremony during the London Marathon.

Mrs Keates, a dental nurse, found the marathon "a struggle" due to the heat. She said: "Garry really spurred me on, but I needed lots of encouragement. It was really tough. The heat was immense.

"There were moments when I just wanted to go home and wondered why we'd put ourselves through this. But I hadn't given myself any choice. I had to do it. It was a good incentive and it's wonderful to be different.''

The couple, who even managed to have a quick wash before they said their vows, were joined by 50 guests at St Bride's Church off Fleet Street.

After the 30-minute service they stayed to chat with friends and family for a further 30 minutes before beginning the final leg as husband and wife.

Mrs Keates said: "Stopping is never a great idea – your legs stiffen up – but we had the chance to scoff a load of sandwiches. Starting again is hard.''