A FIRST-time marathon runner will be strapping on her running shoes to take part in a Berlin race later this month.

Helen Larnder has been training non-stop for the 26.2 mile race which will take place on Sunday, September 28, in the German capital and is aiming to complete the course in just over four hours.

She hopes to raise more than £1,000 for the British Red Cross, a humanitarian organisation which helps people across the world affected by natural disasters and conflicts.

“I decided to run for the Red Cross back in May after seeing television footage of the Chinese earthquake and the cyclone that hit Burma.

“I realised what wonderful work the Red Cross does to help some of the world’s most vulnerable and impoverished people in their times of need and I desperately felt the need to do my bit.”

Miss Larnder, aged 23, of Ombersley, has never attempted a marathon before but says she feels confident she will be able to go the distance.

She said: “I’ve been training by running along the country lanes around my house with my dogs.

“At first I couldn’t keep up with my dogs but now they have a tough time keeping up with the pace.

“I’ve run nearly 18 miles and I’m just hoping that adrenaline will get me through the rest.”

Miss Larnder still has a long way to go to reach her target of £1,000. To sponsor her, visit www.justgiving.com/ helenlarnder2.