THE 23rd London Marathon will take place on Sunday, with top athletes and charity fund-raisers mixing among the thousands of runners around the capital.

Today, the Evening News takes a final look at some of the foot-sore fanatics from Worcestershire and Herefordshire who've decided to take in 26 miles 285 yards of exercise this weekend.

FIVE members of Worcester Joggers are on their marks and all set to compete in the London Marathon this weekend.

The Joggers have all been training hard for the past couple of months in preparation of the 26-mile challenge on Sunday.

Melissa Broughton, of Sansome Walk, said she is trying to raise £1,500 for the National Asthma Campaign.

The Stourport High School teacher used to suffer from asthma as a child but grew out of it, however her partner is still a sufferer.

"As a school teacher I can see that asthma is on the increase," she said.

Her training has progressed well and she recently managed to complete a 20-mile run.

"It will be good to do the marathon," she said, "I have put in a lot of training.

"I am looking to complete it in about five hours."

And Vivienne Keeble, of Broadway Grove, St John's, Worcester, is running the marathon for the first time at the age of 54.

"I am raising money for St Richard's Hospice because I wanted to support a local charity," she said. "I don't think it is a good time to be running a marathon at the age of 54, but I will go for it," she added.

Anyone who wishes to donate money to Melissa Broughton or Vivienne Keeble can contact them on 01905 616315 and 01905 428504 respectively.

MARATHON runners will find themselves in star company this weekend.

Among the celebrities in the running will be EastEnders' Charlie Brooks (scheming Janine Butcher), who will be raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care, and former Leader of the Conservative Party, MP Iain Duncan Smith, in support of The Haven House Hospice.

Other famous faces include cheeky Cockney Bubble (Paul Ferguson) from Big Brother 2 (The Children's Trust), temperamental chef Gordon Ramsay (Tommys) and TV presenter Lorraine Kelly (British Heart Foundation).

Major Charles Ingram, the former Army Major who tried to cheat his way to the top prize on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, will be raising funds for Sense.

Also in the frame will be former Conservative politician, ex-prisoner and best-selling author, Jeffrey Archer.

With the British Heart Foundation, Make A Wish and Addenbrokes as his named charities, he is aiming to break the world record for marathon fund-raising, currently held by rap mogul P Diddy at $2m.

They've done the training, now they're ready for the off

LIS Allen hopes to go the extra mile when she competes in her first London Marathon on Sunday.

The advertising and sales manager has been training hard and hopes to raise £3,000 for Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

"I have been running for many years raising money for various charities and am looking forward to this testing challenge," said Lis, who is from Bromsgrove.

Magda Praill, chief executive of Age Concern Herefordshire and Worcestershire, said this was the fourth year the organisation had had a runner in this event.

"We are delighted that Lis is running for Age Concern groups across Herefordshire and Worcestershire," she said.

"As a charity we rely heavily on fund-raising events such as the Flora London Marathon."

Anyone who would like to sponsor Lis can do so by calling Age Concern on 01905 726652.

AN athletic city teacher took education in her stride as she doubled up her training with some energetic lessons for this weekend's Flora London Marathon.

Lisa Hope, from Lyppard Grange Primary, led pupils from Years 1, 2 and 3 on a fund-raising jog during a non-uniform day on Friday, April 2, at the school in Ankerage Green, Warndon.

The one-mile course around the playground not only helped raise money - a pound per pupil towards her £1,000 target - but also helped teach the youngsters how far a mile is.

The 25-year-old special needs co-ordinator said: "They were very excited and were eager to show me how fast they could run.

"They seemed to think it would be a doddle. Maybe I can get some new recruits for the marathon!"

The day was a great success and raised funds for KIDS, a charity dedicated to helping children with disabilities and special needs.