MILESTONE birthdays were the impetus behind two friends? ambition to run the London Marathon this year.

Geraldine Walter and Mark Duddridge, who both live in the Bratton Clovelly area, turned 30 and 40 respectively recently ? and decided this was the year they were going to attempt one of the biggest events in the international athletics calendar.

Geraldine and Mark, who is managing director of Ginsters in Callington, are now hard in training for the event, accompanied by canine companions Jaxon and Daisy.

Geraldine said: ?The training?s going okay ? we take our two dogs with us on runs but I think they?re a lot faster than us!

?We usually go on a good long run on a Saturday and do three smaller ones in the week.?

Mark has competed in large events before, having completed the Great North Run in the past, but Geraldine is a novice to distance racing.

?I?ve always wanted to do it and this year I decided this was it,? she said.

Mark and Geraldine both have children at Bratton Clovelly Playgroup and at Boasley School ? their respective families will be accompanying them to London to cheer them on during the big day in April.

They are running the marathon to raise money for PHAB, a national charity dedicated to the integration of people with and without disabilities into the community.

Anyone who would like to sponsor Geraldine or Mark in their marathon effort can donate on line at http://www.justgiving.com/geraldinesrun">www.justgiving.com/geraldinesrun or http://www.justgiving.com/duddsandphab">www.justgiving.com/duddsandphab

Alternatively, call Geraldine on 01837 871426.