TEN adult members of Tavistock Athletics Club and two juniors are reaching the final stages of their training for the Virgin London Marathon 2012, which takes place later this month.

Two juniors, Emily Attfield and Sam Lane De Courtin have been selected by England Athletics to represent the South West in the Mini Marathon. This is a huge honour for the two athletes, and it says much about the quality of coaching at the club.

Sam and Emily will run from Billingsgate Market to the finish on the Embankment on the final three miles of the main race route, but in advance of it, through streets which will be lined with hundreds of thousands of spectators - a memorable experience for these two talented runners.

With just two weeks before they race, the adults are on their taper, with most of the long miles of training behind them.

Few train for the 26.2 miles that is the marathon without picking up an injury on the way, and several athletes have been dogged by persistent problems, but all are recovered and ready for the unique experience that 'running London' provides.

Four are running for charities. Hannah Colston (http://www.justgiving.com/hannah-colston-london2012">www.justgiving.com/hannah-colston-london2012) for Phab Kids, a charity which enables disabled people to enjoy the same opportunities as the able-bodied, bringing them together on equal terms;, Claire Pitcher (01752 553132) and Paul Bumford for Help for Heroes, and Ann Woodhouse (01822 833347) for Children with Cancer UK.

TAC welcomes runners of all speeds. Call 01822 612577 or visit http://www.tavistockathletics.com">www.tavistockathletics.com for more information.