TWO Emley runners are in the final stages of limbering up for this year's London Marathon.

Pat Ainsworth, 58, of Rectory Lane, and church curate, the Rev Eddie Wynn, 38, of St Michael's Gardens, will be taking part in the event on Sunday April 18.

While Pat hopes to raise more than £1,000 for Kirkwood Hospice, Dalton, Eddie is running for Cancer Research UK and has already raised more than £1,000.

Pat took up distance running about 15 years ago and has run in eight London Marathons and the New York Marathon, sometimes being joined by husband Jim, also 58.

Acting as her trainer, Jim now cycles alongside his wife when she is practising long distance jogs of about 30 miles a week.

Pat hopes to complete the run in about four-and- a-half hours.

As well as marathon running, Pat and Jim go trekking around the world and between them have raised about £60,000 over the years.

Pat works in the education department at New Hall Women's Prison.

Mr Wynn is curate of St James's, Flockton, and St Michael's, Emley.

He wanted to run a marathon before his 40th birthday.

He has been in training since the autumn.

He has held a number of fund-raising events in aid of the cancer charity.