A WORCESTERSHIRE mum, who until three years ago had never even been for a jog, was only 44 minutes behind the winning woman athlete in the London Marathon having been selected to run with the elite and championship runners.

Emma Gooderham, aged 36, from Wyre Piddle near Pershore, came 85th in the woman's race - 17th in her veteran age category (35 - 39) - and an overall 1,150th out of the 35,000 who finished the 26.2 miles. She ran the race in a time of three hours, four minutes and 48 seconds.

And there was cause for added celebration as she raised more than £1,000 for the Macmillan unit at Evesham Community Hospital.

She said that it was a friend who convinced her to have a go at running in 2004, and helped her to overcome feeling embarrassed about going out running in the first place. "On virtually no training I entered the Crowle 10k as my first race, came in seventh woman and thought I could be a bit good at this'," she said.

Mrs Gooderham then did an eight-mile run at Malvern and, having run no further, entered the Cardiff Marathon in 2005 and finished well placed.

She then completed the Stratford Marathon and Cardiff again in 2006, and it was then that she qualified for elite status in the London Marathon. "I was as surprised as everyone else," she said.

"I was never particularly sporty at all.

"When I was at school I used to do horse riding and some skiing, but that was it.

"I would have never started at all without my friend making me and now I can really understand why running is so popular.

"I don't regret coming to it late because I have got a stubbornness and resilience from having my two kids, which I just wouldn't have had when I was younger. Having kids makes you tougher.

"And I've still got a few years left in me yet."

She said the atmosphere on Sunday was amazing and the crowds kept her going for the last 10 kilometres as it was so hot. "Thanks to everyone who sponsored me and to my family who have supported me throughout," she added.

"All the training and effort was well worth it."