TWO Cranage mums have taken on a magnificent marathon challenge, crossing the line together and raising thousands of pounds for charity.

Angela Grace and Lisa Hunsley ran the London Marathon on Sunday, with Angela making up part of BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans’ ‘Magnificent Seven’ team and Lisa raising almost £2,000 for Kelly’s Trust children’s charity.

The pair met around four years ago through Goostrey Primary School, which their daughters both attend, and began running together.

Lisa secured her charity place and Angela won a slot in the London and New York marathons through Chris Evans’ auction for Children in Need, which also guarantees entry to the Cambridge and Windsor half marathons.

Angela, who met idols Steve Cramb and Paula Radcliffe and made appearances on Evans’ breakfast show and BBC Sport on Sunday morning, said: “It’s for Children in Need and what the charity is all about. It’s priceless for us because of the experience.

“Lisa and I have done some amazing preparation and it helped to have that friendship to go through it all. When we were looking around on the day, I just couldn’t stop grinning.

“To do London was amazing – to do New York as well and be in such an amazing city, I just can’t wait. Knowing it’s the finale of the whole year, it’s mixed emotions.”

Evans’ team has collectively raised more than £200,000 for Children in Need.

Lisa, who has run half marathons and 10ks in the past, said: “It was absolutely fantastic and we loved it. The support was amazing – I have never heard anything like it with people shouting your name and the music and the cheering.

“Near the end, when your legs are hurting and you’re feeling sick, it lifts you and keeps you going.

“Angela and I normally chat away on training runs, but on Sunday we were just taking it all in. We spotted both of our husbands with big flags from about 50m away, and were cheered on by Paula Radcliffe as we came up to the finish line.”

Lisa finished in three hours, 53 minutes and 23 seconds – five minutes and 57 seconds faster than Angela, who started ahead and slowed down so that pair could run together.