Wedding a marathon effort for UK couple

Newly weds Katie Austin (L) and Gordon Fryer run over the land mark Tower Bridge during the London marathon.

A British couple gave a new twist to the idea of running away together by competing in the London marathon in their wedding clothes and getting married halfway around the course.

Katie Austin and Gordon Fryer from Romsey in southern England ran the race with the bride's parents who gave her away at the ceremony in the Bridge Master's dining room on Tower Bridge.

The groom and his father-in-law wore traditional waistcoats, wing-collared shirts and cravats, but with shorts instead of trousers.

The bride wore a full length ivory wedding dress with train above her running shoes - an outfit she conceded she had never run in before Sunday.

Despite rain, the bride arrived at the bridge with her make-up and hair still in place.

The 80-minute ceremony may have scuppered their chances of running a new personal best time, but the couple emerged beaming to a shower of confetti and cheers from guests and well-wishers.

The newly-weds and the Austin then immediately got back onto the racecourse and continued running without speaking to waiting reporters.

Felix Limo of Kenya led the men's race as Deena Kastor won the women's title at the London marathon on Sunday.

(Agencies)