A baker who only took up running three months ago is hoping to rise to the challenge when he takes part in his first London Marathon.
Paul Lockwood has been chosen from 19,000 applicants to join Flora's 250-strong team of first time marathon runners who are aiming to raise £1 million for the Princess Diana Memorial Fund.
Mr Lockwood, 44, who lives at Allerton and works in Wilsden, said: "Until I got my place in the London Marathon I'd never even run for a bus before and haven't done any sport since I was at school.
"But Flora were advertising for people to run in their team and I applied.
"I've been in training since Christmas and clocking up about 50 miles a week."
Mr Lockwood is running most days and his longest effort so far in preparation for the 26-miler on Sunday, April 26, is 16 miles.
He added: "I was working in Skipton for a while and was running between there and home but I'm not going to do more than 16 miles until the day.
"I've changed my diet to cut down on fatty foods and eat more carbohydrates. I've got no time target - I just want to finish it. It's something I'm really looking forward to.''
Mr Lockwood aims to raise at least £1,000 in sponsorship.
Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article