RUNNER Penny Dalton is preparing for her first London Marathon and her chosen cause is one close to her heart.

Penny, 38, is a course administrator in the Education School at Huddersfield University.

She is running to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and wants to pay tribute to John Reddyhoff, a Yorkshire runner who died of the disease in September, 2006.

Penny, of Scholes, Holmfirth, said: “I’ve always wanted to do the marathon.

“I do 10-kilometre running, and the Race for Life for Cancer Research, but I think motor neurone disease (MND) research needs plenty of help.

“There is no cure and it’s not very well known. When I applied for the London Marathon they sent me a list of suggested charities and there wasn’t a MND one there.”

John Reddyhoff worked in Huddersfield before moving south and running with Utopia Runners in Uckfield, Sussex. He ‘ran marathons for fun’, including both London and New York.

He contracted MND in 2001 and died aged just 57. Utopia Harriers present the annual John Reddyhoff Cup to their most improved runner.

Penny knew John Reddyhoff through friend Steve Coull, who in another fundraising effort will complete a 120-mile cycle ride in the Alps in June.

His company, Jemtech, have also promised to match Penny’s sponsorship figure.

The 26-mile London Marathon is on April 13.

It is the world’s largest annual fundraising event and last year raised £41.5m for charities.

There will be 46,500 runners, and it promises to be a challenge for Penny, whose longest race so far has been the Holmfirth 15-kilometre road race.

But she is looking forward to it. She said: “I’m training hard, and I’ll make myself get round. I’m hoping for a time of under four hours. But it all depends how it is on the day.”

Penny is also looking for a weekend training partner in the Huddersfield area, and can be contacted on 01484 478291.

Her fundraising target is £3,000, with nearly £500 raised so far. You can donate at www.justgiving.com/pennydalton