Karen O’Dowd may be in her 50s but that doesn’t stop her following in the footsteps of her Olympic Marathon running son Matt. Karen, 53, of Rodbourne, is planning to enter the Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon for the second time this year, with Matt acting as her coach.

In 2004, Matt finished 50th in the marathon at the Athens Olympics. Months later he won the inaugural Swindon half-marathon in 1hr 11mins.

Matt has lined up in Swindon twice, missing out in 2005 through a stomach upset and last year through a throat and chest infection.

Karen has been running for the past three years. She said: “Matt is great – whenever he comes to visit, we’ll go running together. Of course my running is his walk, so he often cycles and says ‘Go faster!’ “I ran the Swindon Half Marathon last year and the support was tremendous. I did the Bath Half this year, but at the moment I have a problem with my shins and calf.

“It’s now on the mend, so I aim to be fit for the Swindon half again – I will definitely be running the multi-terrain at the very least.”

Karen goes out with a running club once a week and has recently persuaded her sister Lisa Baskerville, 39, to take up the sport.

She said: “She joined a beginners’ group and is really enjoying it. We go out running once a week and catch up on everything. It’s a great way to get fit and up to date on everyone’s news.”

Although Matt is based in Loughborough, he is always available on the phone for advice and encouragement.

Karen said: “He is supportive and full of useful advice, for example how to warm up and down properly. I’m also reminded what to eat and drink before a big run – bananas, pasta, plenty of water – but stay away from coffee.”

The Nationwide Swindon Half Marathon on Sunday, October 12, sponsored by Nationwide and organised by Swindon Borough Council, is open to all adults.

The five-mile multi-terrain run is open to participants aged 15 and over. People of all ages can enter the two-mile fun run, though under eight-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult who has also entered the event.

For more information visit www.swindonhalfmarathon.co.uk or call (01793) 511033.