For months, we've been bringing you the stories of the inspiring men and women who are taking on one of the country's biggest challenges: The London Marathon. Now, the weekend is finally here. Meet the final few people from Dorset who are preparing for the run.

Four people from Weymouth are part of a team putting their best foot forward in the London Marathon in support of Weldmar Hospicecare.

Alaine Harman, Brian Leneghan, Miranda Tidswell and Lucy Wyman, all from Weymouth, are taking part, joined by Mike Chapleo from Christchurch, Marcus Gaffney from Wanstrow, Somerset, Katy Sewell from Christchurch and Kirsty Hutchins from Gillingham.

The team gathered at the Joseph Weld Hospice in Dorchester this week for a team photo ahead of their run.

Caroline Hamblett, Weldmar’s chief executive, said: “We are incredibly proud of our 2018 London Marathon team. They dedicated an enormous amount of time for training and should feel extremely proud as they run the course in their Weldmar vest and cross the finish line. All the money that Weldmar receives from the London Marathon will go towards funding the continuation of the outstanding end of life care that we provide to patients and their loved ones across Dorset. Income from challenges such as the London Marathon is vital so we can be there for members of the community when and where they need our support in the future.”

If you wish to run for Weldmar in the 2019 London Marathon, you should first enter the public ballot, which opens after the 2018 race. If you are successful in the ballot, then contact the charity so that they know you would like to run for Weldmar.

If you are not successful in the ballot, Weldmar has a number of 'Gold Bond' places - guaranteed places in the Marathon - which can be given to runners. Contact Weldmar after the ballot on 01305 261800 and they will keep your details on file.

  • Pete Corbet

A FUNDRAISER is tackling the London Marathon, 35 years since the last time he took on the challenge.

Pete Corbet, 59, is fundraising for St John Ambulance after witnessing the charity’s volunteers in action and being inspired by their award-winning first aid awareness campaigns.

"I ran the London Marathon in 1982 and 1983 and I feel lucky to have been part of something that evolved into the great event it is today," said Pete, who works for Dorset Police.

"I lived in central London then, just by Vauxhall Bridge, and my girlfriend at the time – now my wife – Ange, lived in a flat by Lambeth Bridge.

"Pounding the streets for about three hours and 35 minutes meant I was very grateful to have food, warmth and a bath nearby!"

St John Ambulance volunteers have provided first aid cover at the London Marathon since it began and will be there to support runners at the event this Sunday (April 22).

Life, work and interests in other sports have kept Pete busy over the last 35 years, but he would often tell friends and family that he’d run it again in his 50s.

"That seemed so far off then," he added. "But that statement was brought out of its long retirement a couple of years ago – just in general conversations at home and at work – and once it was out in the open it was clear what would happen."

He added: "I have seen St John Ambulance’s campaigns to teach children an appropriate level of first aid in schools and thought that was brilliant, as well as a campaign to teach how to save people from choking that has directly saved lives."

For more information on St John Ambulance’s work, including how to become a volunteer and details of training for the public, schools and businesses, visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.

  • Martyn Richards

A runner has been getting professional support from an Olympian ahead of a challenging event.

Martyn Richards, from Dorchester, is running the London Marathon tomorrow in aid of the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.

The father-of-two chose the charity as his aunt, Alison, has been battling with lung cancer. She has recently undergone treatment and the family hopes that she will be given the all clear so that, after the marathon, they can celebrate both her health and Mr Richards' achievement.

And to help him cross the finish line he has been training with Olympic runner Liz Yelling.

He said: " The experience so far has been a heart-warming and uplifting journey of physical and mental progress, working towards achieving a life changing goal which is one of life’s most rewarding experiences."

Mr Richards, 38, works as a marketing manager for Abbott Vascular, and while his work takes him all over the UK, he spends every weekend with his sons Inzi, eight, and Otis, three.

Before he started training, he said he only exercised 'sporadically'.

"I played a variety of sports until my late twenties during which time I only played cricket, lacked discipline with nutrition and exercise and was 17 stone Christmas 2009. I realized I needed big changes to my lifestyle, did a detox in January and managed to lose a stone by my 30th birthday in February 2010. The arrival of Inzi and a busy job meant that I had to make time to exercise but I have become gradually fitter during the years since culminating in my first marathon in 2016."

Mr Richards hopes to raise £4,000 for the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, and he is well on the way to his goal, having raised £3,700 already. Last weekend he and his family held a fundraising evening in Dorchester with a band, DJ and 'Almost Full Monty' show. A raffle was also held in aid of the DCH Cancer Appeal.

Despite the dedicated months of training, Mr Richards said he knows it will be a tough challenge - and hopes the support of the crowd will help to give him a boost on the day.

"The cheers of support are a huge help. Also I’ve a sweet tooth and there are lots of kind spectators offering sweets which always lifts me."

See Tuesday's Dorset Echo for post-event coverage of the London Marathon, and how our local runners got on.