Shropshire runners take on Virgin London Marathon

Around 35,000 people are expected to take part in the annual event as they make their way round the 26.2-mile course through the streets of London.

Among those taking part is Shrewsbury man James Turner who will be running in aid of two charities, Severn Hospice and Cancer Research.

But not content with taking on the gruelling 26.2 mile race he has decided to do it dressed as an Oompa Loompa from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

James has been training all winter with a friend and with Shrewsbury Road Runners. The residents of Shrewsbury may even have seen him running in his costume through town.

Speaking to shropshirelive.com, James said “The charities are close to my heart as I have lost too many friends and relatives to cancer. Organisations such as the Severn Hospice do an amazing job, they need our help and every penny is put to good use, so the least I can do is run a few miles dressed like a wally.”

Other Shropshire runners include Lisa Roberts from Shrewsbury who is four months pregnant and running for The National Autistic Society, Phil Downey from Telford running for the Severn Hospice, Lucja Leonard the General Manager of Park Inn Telford and Rebecca Amy Jones running for the Severn Hospice.

Also running from Shropshire are Gary Ward, Marc Holliehead – both members of Ludlow punk superstars DNR – and Jon Bruford raising funds for Severn Hospice via Joel's Wish. Jon is also running Edinburgh in five weeks.

Among the celebrity runners taking part this year are BBC News presenters Susannah Reid and Sophie Raworth, former European and Commonwealth 400m champion Iwan Thomas, singer Will Young and Norwich’s own celebrity chef and restaurant owner Tom Aikens.

Twice Olympic rowing champion James Cracknell, who suffered a near-fatal head injury while cycling across USA in 2010, will also be running.

In its 32nd year runners from all walks of life and every age group have raised more than half a billion pounds for hundreds of charities.