We're up for the challenge - runners from across town to tackle London Marathon

The iconic 26.2-mile marathon takes in the sights and sounds of London with millions of pounds raised every year for various charities.

Kerry Harding, 39, from Redhouse, will be running her second London marathon in aid of Prospect Hospice. She completed her first marathon in 2011 and confessed to nerves ahead of the big day.

“My father was a long-distance runner as I’m originally from South Africa and he still lives there, I want to make him proud because I don’t see him as often as I would like," she said.

"I know he is really proud of me for everything I’ve achieved so far.

“I have found the training tough and I’m not aiming for a time, I just want to complete the route. I enjoy running because it’s me time so I will focus on that and enjoying the time in London.

“Prospect was there when my family needed them the most, they provided palliative care and support afterwards. They are amazing.”

Restaurant manager Kerry has raised £430 for Prospect, with that total expected to rise with last minute donations. She is supported by children, Ewan, seven and four-year-old Lottie, and husband Rob.

Paola Howard, 53, has swapped the sunny climes of Santa Clarita, California for the capital.

Although this will be the seasoned sprinter’s first London marathon, she has already completed seven others in Boston, New York, Berlin and Chicago

Programme manager Paola, who clocked up a personal best of 4:32 in the Boston Marathon in 2014, was inspired to help Prospect after they supported her sister-in-law, who lived in Swindon before her death. She has raised £2,400 for the charity.

“We saw from afar the good work Prospect does, how much support it offered – not just care but they helped out afterwards. They were my first choice when I got the chance to run," she said.

“I had a very good 22-mile run so I feel very positive.

“It will be nice to have a tour of London but I’m sure my legs will be shaking once I get to the start line.”

Colour technician Alison Richardson, from Shrivenham, will be running in her second marathon and first London Marathon on Sunday.

Last time the 44-year-old ran the Jersey Marathon, she was forced to finish barefoot after suffering severe foot injuries. She hopes this steely resolve will get her through the capital course.

She has already raised £1,400 for childrens’ charity the NSPCC and has trained with Highworth Running Club.

“I love the social aspect of running. You do make friends when you’re out and about,” the mother-of-three said.

“The NSPCC has always been a charity close to my heart and I am so happy to be able to support them.

“Now I’m so close I have pared down my running so I am very nervous about getting there, but I am determined to enjoy that moment when I run down the Mall.”

Alison’s children Mya, 15, Kai, 12 and Tia, 10 are also on hand for support.

Greg Wells, of Shrivenham Road, will also pull on his running shoes on Sunday to fundraise for the NSPCC.

It will be the second time the 51-tear-old has tackled the mammoth route after successfully completing the marathon in 2015.

Father-of-two Greg only started running in February 2013 and since then has completed 91 Park Runs across the country, two 10km events, eight half marathons, and a handful of fun runs as well as the London Marathon.

“The London marathon was an amazing experience. I remember the energy coming from the crowds and how good it felt at the start to be running along such a beautiful route, so I’m looking forward to experiencing that all over again,” he said.

“I think people may think I’m mad. Certainly a few people have told me that but I love the adrenaline rush you get from running, it’s a way you can forget about the world for a while and any troubles you might have.”

Greg has already raised more than £2,000.

And representing the Adver, former sports reporter John Carter, 43 from Prospect Place, Old Town, has raised more than £3,000 for Thamesdown Hydrotherapy Pool in Stratton ahead of the race.

He said: “I’ve been fascinated by the London Marathon since its inception in 1981.

"As a seven-year-old I can remember sitting down to watch a swathe of runners pounding the streets of the capital.

“From that day on I imagined the emotional scenes as I ran up The Mall and crossed the line with my arms outstretched, to be rewarded with one of those foil coats and a Mars bar.

“That’s got to be worth the slog of 26.2 miles, right?”

Kier Pritchard, who joined Wiltshire Police in June 1993, and was appointed an assistant chief constable today is also taking part.

He said of his appointment: "On a personal level it is a great privilege. My family have been a big support. It has been a demanding process for them as well and this is a success for us all. And as one marathon finishes, another one starts as I am running the London Marathon on Sunday so the celebrations will hold off until then!"

Assistant Chief Constable Kier Pritchard

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Watch out for famous faces making marathon effort

IT'S not just mile markers, funny costumes and friends in the crowd that the runners have to watch out for on Sunday.

There will also be lots of famous people taking their place on the starting line.

Leading the athlete line-up, double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes will run her first marathon in aid of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust. She is one of Britain’s most successful 800m and 1500m runners. She will also support Myeloma UK, MIND, The Pickering Trust and Hospice in the Weald.

Olympic silver medallist and former 400m runner Iwan Thomas will run the marathon in aid of Macmillan. He currently holds the British record in the 400m with 44.36 seconds.

Sporting superstar and double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell will be another familiar face. He will be pounding the streets to fundraise for brain injury charity Headway for which he is vice president.

Swindon sprinters also have the chance to run into BBC Radio 2 DJ, TGI Friday and new Top Gear presenter Chris Evans who will be running in aid of BBC Children In Need.

Game of Thrones fans will see integral character Margaery Tyrell among the thousands of marathon runners as actress Natalie Dormer will be running for the NSPCC,

And star of The Only Way Is Essex Bobby Norris, known for his tempestuous but loyal friendship with co-star Gemma Collins is also taking part. Bobby’s mum Kym was diagnosed with leukaemia last year, with a vital stem cell transplant found through the Anthony Nolan Trust. Bobby is running the marathon to thank the charity for their support.