FIFTY-EIGHT-year-old Hilary Wharam took up running only five years ago. Now she is to take part in her fourth consecutive London Marathon.

Having spent much of her spare time cycling with her husband, mother of two Hilary began running to 'fill the gap' when he began suffering from rheumatic knees and was unable to cover the distances they had done previously.

Hilary trains five days a week, including meeting with Horsforth Harriers every Tuesday, and takes part in 12 to 15 races each year in preparation for the marathon.

Her weekly running distance has just peaked at 50 miles and included the half-marathon at Ackworth, in which she was the second woman over 55 to finish the race.

Hilary, a Social Welfare Officer from Layton Park Croft in Rawdon, has raised money for various charities and will be running this year's Marathon in aid of Aireborough Voluntary Services For The Elderly With Disabilities (AVSED), who have launched a minibus appeal.

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