Getting ready to run

FIVE women members of Royston Runners, right, are set to take part in the Flora London Marathon next month. They are currently training for the gruelling event - and hope to complete the 26.2-mile course in a bid to raise cash for charity. Each of the women are supporting a charity of their choice - and looking for sponsorship. The women are Mandy Keeble, Karen Raeside, Kim Monti, Mandy Jinkerson and Jackie Garland. Charties being supported are; Macmillan Nurse, Childline, Visually Impaired Children Taking Action (Victa), the Addenbrooke's oncology centre and the Mid-Essex Doctors Immediate Care Service (Medics). Sponorship of the Royston Runners can be taken to The Sports Kit, in the High Street, Royston. Meanwhile, Bridget Gough has been told that she will be accepted for a late place in this year's event. The 50-year-old from Chrishall said: "I didn't learn until last month that I had a place so I'm a bit short of training. "I had been doing some running, but not serious training as I did not have a goal to aim towards," she said. Mrs Gough, the wife of GP Peter Gough, said: "Now I'm concentrating on my training and doing it differently: clocking up the hours rather than the miles." Mrs Gough, who is something of a veteran of running in the London marathon, has a best time of 4hr 45min. "I'll just be happy to get around this year," she said. She is seeking sponsorship to help her support Khandel-light, the charity set up by her husband which helps villages in India. - This year's 3km Royston Fun Run will be taking place on Therfield Heath on Sunday, April 9 at 10.30am. Entry forms are available from The Sports Kit, High Street, Royston, the Heath Spors Centre, the Royston Leisure Centre, the Royston library or by calling Maurice Hill on 07719 132793 or Mandy Jinkerson on 07840 930898.