RUNNER Jamie Barker raised £2,000 for his pains when he competed in the New York Marathon.

Jamie, of Winchester, put his best foot forward - literally - to complete the 26.2-mile run.

He had a tougher challenge than most of the other 38,000 runners as, just eight weeks before the race date, he broke a bone in his foot while playing football.

The swollen foot and the hobbling was worth it as he has collected cash for the disabled children's charity Kids.

Having broken his left metatarsal, Jamie found himself on crutches for several weeks and unable to tackle his training programme.

Not one to be defeated, he managed to run the first 14 miles of the course around the Big Apple on November 5, before interspersing running with stints of walking to ease the pain.

Jamie, 30, said: "The atmosphere was fantastic. It seemed like every space along the course was filled with people watching and shouting. My foot was swollen and pretty painful, but I kept taking painkillers during the race. At the end, everyone was elated and hugging each other. It was a fantastic feeling."

He finished in 4hrs 44mins, adding: "I was really chuffed as I just wanted to break five hours - that was my goal.

"My doctor advised me not to run it, but I had raised all that money for the charity so I could not let them down and not take part."

Jamie, a digital media co-ordinator at the Daily Echo, took part with two friends, Ed Chase and Alec Shaw.

"I was inspired to take part after watching Ed and Alec run the London Marathon earlier this year," said Jamie."

You can still sponsor Jamie by visiting www.justgiving.com/jamesbarker.