COMPLETING a marathon is the ultimate test for any runner - a gruelling 26-miles that, depending on where you are, can take you through urban sprawl, out into open countryside or up hill and down dale.

For four members of the Slinn’s Allstars running club it is a challenge they are ready to rise to.

And as two of the team, Clare Slinn, pictured before and after, and Dave Lane, have already lost 14 stone between them, their determination knows no bounds.

The quartet, which also includes Angie Mugford and Marion Morris, are preparing to pound the streets of the capital next month in the London Marathon - and they are all doing it for good causes.

“None of us were successful in the ballot, but luckily the club was given two places because of our affiliation with England Athletics,” said 44-year-old Clare, of Haydon Wick.

“Everyone who wanted to take part put their names in a hat and Angie’s and Marion’s were pulled out.

“Dave and I had been training with them as we’d wanted to take part ourselves and we decided that if we were going to do all that training we might as well do it, so found charities to run for.”

Clare is running for Headway and Dave is running in aid of St John Ambulance. Angie and Marion don’t have to raise money for charity but have decided to take part in the fundraising anyway, with Marion’s donations going to the Altzheimer’s Society and Angie helping Clare’s efforts.

“After I had children I didn’t do a lot of exercise,” she said.

“I used to play a lot of netball until I was injured and I thought ‘what could help me lose weight?’ and that’s why I took up running. I lost a bit of weight before I started and I was going out with a friend to get in shape for Race For Life.

“That was all about six years ago and I’ve found that running was a great way of keeping the weight off.”

Project manager Dave, 49, started running about three and a half years ago. He decided to lose a staggering nine-stones after a warning from his GP.

“I’d already started losing weight and running seemed like a natural progression to me and it was reasonably enjoying,” said Dave, of North Swindon.

“I started off with 5km not very long ago and once I’d done that I wanted to do the next distance and it’s carried on from there.

“I’m really looking forward to it and I don’t mind what time I run it in, just to enjoy the atmosphere and get round the course.”

Marion, of Wroughton, decided to raise funds for the Altzheimer’s Society after seeing the effects of the illness first-hand.

“My great-aunt died from it last year and my best friend’s gran also suffered from it,” said the 40-year-old.

“You see what it does to families and it is awful, no-one should have to deal with it.

“The training is going really well at the moment and you get a great feeling of satisfaction when you achieve the distance you’ve set for yourself.

“I don’t have a particular time in mind, I just want to enjoy the day. Next time I’ll set myself a target.”

The final member of the team, 31-year-old Angie, of Priory Vale, still can’t believe she’s taking part.

“Of course it’s something I’ve always wanted to do but now it’s happening it seems unreal,” she said.

“The training is really hard work and takes up a lot of time. You’re taking up a half day to do some of the longer distances.

“But it does you good and you get a real sense of achievement as well as new friendship with the people you run with.”