TRAINERS are being laced up, energy-fuelled snacks are being prepared and the final few training miles are being run in Didcot ahead of the London Marathon on Sunday.

But running long distances is second nature to the Didcot Runners - who meet every Tuesday and Thursday - and some of its members will be taking on the gruelling challenge at the weekend.

Having run for about 10 years, club member Robert Sharp said the key to marathon success was not any special tricks or interesting snacks, it was about putting in the work and training.

This is not the father-of-four's first running gig in the capital having previously completed seven London Marathons and more than 50 marathons in his running career but the 50-year-old said he was still looking forward it.

He added: "There is nothing quite like the atmosphere on the day. You are alongside thousands of others and it is electric.

"I really hope to be able to do the course in three hours and 15 minutes.

"My personal best was three hours and nine minutes at Wolverhampton three years ago and in my first ever marathon, which was Abingdon in 2008, I ran it in three and a half hours."

In previous years, Mr Sharp has raised money for many charities but is not doing so this year to give donors a year off.

For the 10th consecutive year Eileen Naughton, another Didcot Runner, will be taking her place on the start line in a bid to increase her current £17,000 total for charity Children with Cancer.

The 34-year-old will be armed with wine gums as she tackles the 26 mile course, aiming to finish in three and a half hours.

Both Miss Naughton and Mr Sharp will also be joined by John Talbot, Christopher Davies and Noel Francis, also from the club.

But it is not only members of the running club who will be putting themselves to the test.

With her strawberry jam sandwiches in tow, Kelly Hodson has decided to do her first marathon to raise money for Barnardo's.

The 29-year-old hairdresser said: "I am a little bit nervous about Sunday but I think the fact that I am running for a charity that has helped my family in the past is going to keep me going and get me through it.

"I was quite young at the time, but it is just my way of giving back and saying thank you.

"And if I can help another family out with the money raised then it is all going to be worth it."

Miss Hodson has already raised more than £1,400 for the charity and has spent many a weekend out at Didcot Town Football Club with her bucket in the hope of raising as much as possible.

She added: "The football club have been absolutely fantastic and let me fundraise during their games and training.

"I can't thank them enough.

"I do not really have a time in mind, I just want to finish it in one piece."

For more information or to donate visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/kelly-marie-hodson4