Tory MP Jason McCartney has been outnumbered by his Labour opponents.

But he hopes to have the last laugh on Sunday when he and his colleagues set off on the London Marathon challenge.

Mr McCartney, the Colne Valley MP, was pictured on a training run with Labour MPs Ed Balls and Dan Jarvis in Westminster.

They are among nine MPs who will line up on Sunday morning, hoping to raise thousands of pounds for charity. And they will be joined by several other Huddersfield people, all anxious to raise charity cash.

Mr McCartney hopes to raise at least £3,500 for the Forget me Not Children’s Hospice and also beat his time of 4hrs 44mins in last year’s run.

MPs on the run - Colne Valley's Jason McCartney flanked by Dan Jarvis (left) and Ed Balls
MPs on the run - Colne Valley's Jason McCartney flanked by Dan Jarvis (left) and Ed Balls

“The training has been going well and I hope I can beat the time.

“I have learned lessons from last year, like not stopping to go to the loo a few miles from the finish. I ended up barely able to run when I set off again”.

He is one of a number of people from Huddersfield taking up the challenge.

Emley’s 68-year-old Pat Ainsworth is gearing up for her 17th London Marathon.

Pat Ainsworth collecting for Marie Curie Cancer Care before her 17th London Marathon - with husband Jim and Vicky Murphy and Louise Dalton of Lloyds Bank, Westgate, Huddersfield
Pat Ainsworth collecting for Marie Curie Cancer Care before her 17th London Marathon - with husband Jim and Vicky Murphy and Louise Dalton of Lloyds Bank, Westgate, Huddersfield

And once again she will be running for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Pat isn’t as quick as she was 20 years ago when she finished the London Marathon in 4hr 10min. But she’s still completing the 26 miles in just over six hours and has no plans to retire.

Also training hard are the 30 members of the Huddersfield Marathon Marching Band.

They not only want to finish the race but also reclaim their world record for the fastest band to run the race.

The Huddersfield Marathon Band ready for the London challenge
The Huddersfield Marathon Band ready for the London challenge

They held it three years ago but lost it a few months later.

Now they want it back by playing music all the way round the course and by raising at least £50,000 for charity.

Steve Haigh, a director of Portal Financial Planning in New North Parade, Huddersfield, had never run anywhere until six months ago.

After five years of trying I finally got through the London Marathon ballot.

Marathon challenge for Huddersfield runner Steve Haigh
Marathon challenge for Huddersfield runner Steve Haigh

He said: “It’s been a ‘bucket list’ ambition to do it since I watched the London Marathon on TV as a child and am very excited now the big day is approaching.

“I’ve been training hard since September and along the way I also decided I wanted to try to raise bit of money for Cancer Research UK as both my parents have had cancer. So far I’m up to just over £1,000 and have been surprised by the level of support”.

One of the bravest competitors will be Huddersfield mother Marie Titley, who lost her unborn baby to a rare heart condition.

She is running her first marathon to raise money for lifesaving research.

Marie of Shelley, will run almost a year to the day when she and her partner Joe Horsfall said goodbye to their baby girl, Autumn.

Marie Titley and Joe Horsfall who are running the London Marathon in memory of their baby Autumn
Marie Titley and Joe Horsfall who are running the London Marathon in memory of their baby Autumn

Autumn Scarlett Horsfall died on April 25 at 22 weeks of pregnancy and, Marie said she decided she wanted to do something that would give hope to other parents in similar situations and improve the lives of children born with heart defects and their families. She will run for the British Heart Foundation

Children’s nurse Steph Sayles is running the London marathon for Cancer Research UK.

Stephanie, from Kirkheaton, who is married with a teenage son Jordan and daughter Ella, is running her first ever marathon and succeeded in getting a place at the first bid – even though her husband John a more experienced runner has now bid and been unsuccessful five times.

Her family will be at the route-side in the capital cheering her on.

Marathon runner Steph Sayles (right) with Calderdale Hosital colleagues
Marathon runner Steph Sayles (right) with Calderdale Hosital colleagues

Colleagues on the children’s ward at Calderdale Royal Hospital are all supporting her and she hopes to raise around £800.

Steph, a family support worker/play nurse, started her Marathon training after Christmas and says early Sunday morning long-runs in foul weather have been a real test. She has also joined the Stadium Runners to help with training.

Steph’s mum died aged 69 from cancer and she has also lost friends to it. She said: “ It has been so hard going. I don’t think I will ever do another especially the early runs when it’s been raining and cold. But I am confident that I will be fine with my family there and colleagues at CRH willing me on.”

Huddersfield solicitor Satpal Sharma will run in aid of her ill mum.

Motivated by her mother’s long term battle with arthritis, 36-year-old Satpal is raising money for Arthritis Research UK.

Satpal’s mother Dalip Roth has lived with osteoarthritis for many years, including undergoing a knee replacement as a result.

Satpal Sharma with her mum Dalip Roth, who has has lived with osteoarthritis for many years
Satpal Sharma with her mum Dalip Roth, who has has lived with osteoarthritis for many years

She said: “My mother’s strength is my motivation.

Dr Robert Moran is running the London Marathon at the weekend and he has promised that if he reaches a fundraising total of £1,500 he will run in a tutu.

Dr Moran studied at Salendine Nook High School and Huddersfield before after achieving a Masters and PHD at The University of Edinburgh. He now works for The Department for Transport in London and lives in Milton Keynes.

London Marathon challenge for Robert Moran
London Marathon challenge for Robert Moran

Outlane man Ian Hebblethwaite is running the Marathon for what he insists will be the first and last time.

He hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for Guide Dogs For the Blind.

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