Mum-of-two Marie Coupland has completed the London marathon a year after undergoing chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer.

The 56-year-old from Corston, Malmesbury, ran alongside her daughter Teresa, 21, completing the 26.2-mile event in six hours and six minutes.

Mrs Coupland defied the odds and is now in remission from pancreatic cancer, which is known for having the lowest survival rates of the 21 most common cancers.

“We kept together the whole way round and we had a really good time,” said the three-time marathon runner.

“Teresa did brilliantly; it was her first marathon and she doesn’t even really like running.

“The atmosphere in London was just amazing and it was so well organised.”

Mrs Coupland first discovered she had cancer in October 2012. She had been feeling unwell for less than a week and decided to visit her GP after developing jaundice.

Blood tests revealed some liver dysfunction and when her jaundice worsened a week later her GP advised her to go to the Great Western Hospital, Swindon, for further checks.

A CT scan revealed that Mrs Coupland had operable pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

The fitness fanatic underwent several hours of surgery to remove her pancreas, gall bladder and parts of her stomach and small intestine, before having six months of chemotherapy.

She said: “It took me about three months after my chemo before I started feeling better again. This marathon is the turning point because I can now say, ‘yep, I can move on now, it’s behind me’.”

Mrs Coupland and her daughter were cheered on by eldest daughter Hannah, 25, and husband Colin, 53.

The pair have already raised about £5,000. To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/teamcoupland 

Nick Davidge, who works for Kier Construction, ran the marathon in four hours and 32 minutes, raising £1,500 for Visually Impaired Children Taking Action.

Mr Davidge, 46, from Quemerford, Calne, said: “At the end the crowd do keep you going, but it’s very painful.

“At 17 miles I hit the wall, but the thrill of having run it outweighed the pain.”