WITH two years to go until she reaches the big 40, Jo is taking drastic action to prove she is still in her prime.

As she was watching the London Marathon on TV with her family, she announced she was going to run the race before the landmark birthday.

And the 38-year-old has kept to her word and will be lacing up her trainers this April in aid of Leukaemia Care.

Her 63-year-old mother, Val Downs, of Huddersfield, suffers from a form of blood cancer and has received care from the charity.

"I think I must be mad," said Jo, of Peatmoor.

"I was pregnant with my son Alex four years ago and I was watching the marathon feeling all emotional because all the runners are there raising money for great causes and I just stood up and said I was going to do it before I was 40.

"I wanted to set myself a personal challenge that I could really get stuck into."

Last summer Jo, who runs her own advertising company with her husband, Peter, 46, decided to test out her stamina in the 5km Race For Life in Lydiard Park.

"It was fantastic," she said. "I felt so great afterwards. I had so much energy so I decided to carry on training and sign up for the marathon.

"I was doing really well with my training, running about 10k three times a week and I did the Aldbourne and Cricklade 10k runs finishing with a not so bad 57 minutes in both.

"But in October as I picked my son up I hurt my neck so I haven't been able to train until now."

But with a running machine and cross trainer expected to arrive at her home any day she is not giving up.

"I'm frightened and nervous but I'm also really excited and can't wait to do it," she said.

"Whether I walk or crawl I'm going to complete it whatever happens."

Jo is now looking for a running buddy to join her.

"If there is anyone else planning on running the marathon from the area then it would be great to get in contact with them," she said, "At the moment I just tune into my MP3 player and go but if I had someone else to run with I think it would give me even more motivation."

If you would like to join Jo email her at jo@virtual-group.co.uk.

To sponsor her visit www.justgiving.co.uk/jonoone.