SHANNON Moody, who is currently studying for her A-Levels at Launceston College, has been bitten by the marathon bug.

On Sunday, April 22, Shannon completed the London Marathon and she is already looking forward to entering again.

She said: “I would love to do London again.”

When asked how she had found the extreme heat, she said: “It was weird, I didn’t really know what to expect. To my standard all my marathons have been hot and difficult so it didn’t really seem much different. People were telling me it was phenomenal for me to have finished but I just went along like I normally would.

“But with the sheer number of people collapsing along the way I think I was actually really lucky to have been able to finish.”

Shannon completed the race in a time of 6:04:10.

“I was pleased with my time yes, but, that is now the target to beat.”

Shannon was proud of her achievement and said she will be encouraging others to enter.

She said: “I still can’t believe it, I am 18 and have just run a marathon — you don’t hear of many people my age doing that, which I think is a shame. I would encourage more people to do it, anyone can, you just need to go out and train and then do it. I will admit it is hard but I would recommend everyone does it, it really is a once in a lifetime experience.”

Talk about the future Shannon said: “As soon as my legs are healed I would probably run another marathon.”

Masterchef contestants and fellow runners completed the final 3.7-miles of the marathon at the weekend in honour of the Masterchef TV show contestant, Matt Campbell, who collapsed during the London Marathon and later died.

As the event was held in London Shannon was unable to attend as her exams are just around the corner, however she said she would like to honour Matt by doing the 3.7-mile run with the running community in her free time instead.

Shannon said: “I don’t know if my legs will carry me but I will try.”