OLYMPIC champion runner Mo Farah is making his marathon distance debut at the Virgin London Marathon this Sunday and hoping to set the world alight with another memorable performance.

Among the other 35,000 runners competing in the capital will be Tavistock's Allan Herdman, a much more experienced, albeit slower, marathon runner who has run London five times previously.

Allan applied last year for the 2014 race but, like so many others who apply for this popular event, did not obtain a place. However, his club, Tavistock Athletic Club, came to the rescue by awarding him one of the two places they receive each year and since November Allan has been training hard for Sunday's spectacle.

While he is on a personal mission to beat his previous marathon best time he has another important goal of raising at least £500 for his nominated charity Save The Children.

He said: 'I think we are always moved when we see images on our television screens of children in perilous and often hopeless situations.

'However, the recent Sport Relief broadcast on BBC did persuade me that all the money which these projects raise does count and can make a real difference to real people's lives.

'I decided that I wanted to do something more than just achieve my own narrow goal of running 26.2 miles as fast as I can. If I can raise some money along the way in the knowledge that someone, somewhere else in the world can benefit then that will make all the effort worthwhile.'

n Times readers who wish to donate please go on-line and go to http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/AllanHerdman">www.virginmoneygiving.com/AllanHerdman. Messages of support can also be made to [email protected]">[email protected] or by phone/text to 07800 635440.