A DARLINGTON dentist is all smiles after being the first British runner to cross the line in the world’s highest race.

Jamie Rutherford picked his way through the rocky route of this year’s 26-mile Everest Marathon in just over five hours.

His time puts him as the 11th finisher overall and second non-Nepali competitor to complete the gruelling the challenge.

Speaking from Nepal, Mr Rutherford said: “My overall time was five hours and eight minutes approximately. I haven’t had official results yet but that was the time on my watch.

“It was pretty tough but good fun.”

Donations to the 26-year-old’s online fundraising page have continued to roll in as pledgers agreed to give an extra £5 for finishing in under six hours and another £10 for being the first Brit over the line.

Mr Rutherford has so far raised just under £1,500 for Community Action Nepal which aims to support those living in the remotest regions of Nepal.

But the future of Monday's (November 30) Everest Marathon had been thrown into doubt after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed over 8,000 people in April.

Speaking before the race, Mr Rutherford said: “I’ve visited Nepal twice and because I’m a dentist I’ve been able to volunteer there with my job.

“The work that the charity do really benefits the people living there and it is such a beautiful country.”

Mr Rutherford made his first visit to the country as part of a Hummersknott School trip and is the second member of his family to complete the mountain trek after his father tackled the same marathon in 1999.

Runners in the event stay for a month-long holiday to combine sightseeing and a chance to acclimatise to the high altitude.

Race organiser Richard Davies, said: “The Everest Marathon is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest marathon in the world.

“It’s the world's most spectacular race and has been held fifteen times every two years since 1987.”

Donations can still be made at justgiving.com/jamieeverestmarathon/