WORLD champion indoor rower Anna Bailey, from Hanley Swan, is all set to make an attempt on the British record for the marathon distance of 42,195 metres (26 miles) in aid of Sport Relief.

Sport Relief is an initiative from Comic Relief, covering a wide variety of sports including football and cricket, raising money for children's charities, of which 50 per cent will be used within the UK and 50 per cent world-wide.

Unbeaten during the season over the race distance of 2,000 metres, for which she holds a world record (50-59 heavyweight), this will be the first time Anna has rowed a marathon. She already holds other British records for 5,000 and 10,000 metres and has just finished the season ranked number one in the world over 500m, 1,000m, 5,000m, 10,000m and half marathon, as well as at 4 minutes, 30 minutes and 60 minutes. A marathon record would complete the set!

The attempt is to take place at Worcester's CrownGate Shopping Centre, next Friday (May 24) starting at 10.30am at Bell Square, near Beatties. Using a standard 'Concept 2' indoor rowing machine, the scheduled finish should be shortly before 1.30pm.