THERE S less than three weeks to go and dozens of Fairlands Valley Spartans are fine tuning their preparations for the Flora London Marathon on April 23. A few should beat the three-hour barrier while some others will just be delighted to finish their fir

THERE'S less than three weeks to go and dozens of Fairlands Valley Spartans are fine tuning their preparations for the Flora London Marathon on April 23.

A few should beat the three-hour barrier while some others will just be delighted to finish their first marathon.

Many tackling the gruelling 26.2-mile route will also be raising money for charity.

One of the first-timers is Andrew Patterson, 24, whose run will benefit the British Heart Foundation.

He should have been in last year's event but ripped his knee ligaments and had to defer his entry for 12 months.

Andrew started running again in January, the day after returning from travelling the world.

This is the 14th consecutive London Marathon for Carol Paul who is employed by MBDA and fits in her running around work and studying for a post graduate diploma.

She will be raising money for the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund.

Other Spartans doing the London Marathon next month include Mark Beasley, Simon Bell, Declan Clynes and Sharon Crowley running for Stevenage Churches Inter-denominational Mission Project raising money for a water pump for a youth centre in an African village.

Also taking part are Carmel Thornton, Paul Holgate, Doug Hall, running for the MS Trust based in Letchworth GC, and vet Ann Tryssesoone who will be 40 on the day and taking part in her first marathon.

Another first-timer Gary Mulhern who has moderate hearing loss will run for the Hearing Concern charity, Chris Leigh who is hoping to raise £1,000 for the Garden House Hospice, Letchworth GC.

Other runners include Jim Brown, Tony Willson, Ian Chappell, Graham Blackburn, Ron Church, Phil Eaton, Mark Godfrey, Chris King, Gillian McFarlane, Frances Ridgway, Dwaine Seddon, Kevin Smyth and Peta Wilson.

* Fairlands Valley Spartans have booked three coaches to take runners, helpers and spectators from Stevenage and there are some spaces for non-members. The return fare is only £5. To book a seat, contact Roger Biggs on 07748 326301 or by e-mail to info@fvspartans.org.uk