Thousands of runners will take to the streets of the capital for the London Marathon on Sunday (April 23).
Cheered on by spectators lining the streets all the way, runners will take part in the 26.2-mile route, which goes through east London, doubles back on itself, then winds through central London before finishing in Westminster.
Running the London Marathon and fundraising for charity has never been more popular.
Here, we take a look at eight inspirational stories of runners from Surrey and West London who are taking part in this year's London Marathon.
The second youngest male
James Smith, 18, Ash Vale
Eighteen-year-old James Smith is one of this year's youngest runners in the London Marathon -the second youngest, in fact.
Aged just 18 and 10 days, James will follow in his grandfather's footsteps and take on the 26-mile route.
James has chosen to run for four-year-old Jacob Jones, who is suffering from Neuroblastoma - a rare childhood cancer.
James' mother Kay Smith, said: "It has been a massive commitment for James juggling marathon training as well as studying for his A Levels at The Sixth Form College in Farnborough.
"He is following in his Grandad's footsteps who ran in the first London Marathon and is running for the same charity I ran for in 2013- Solving Kids Cancer."
Visit his JustGiving page here .
The teenage actress
Klaudia Wyzykiewicz, 18, Dorking
Teenage actress Klaudia Wyzykiewicz, 18, who is at school near Dorking, is running the London Marathon for the Bowel and Cancer Research charity.
The 18-year-old student suffers from ulcerative colitis, osteoarthritis and chronic migraine. Klaudia said getting around the 26-mile course will be one of her toughest challenges to date.
“I want to prove to myself and others that I can do this,” she said. “So many people see a bowel issue or health problem as a negative thing.
"I want to show that you can turn anything around to be positive and make a change.”
Visit Klaudia's JustGiving page here .
A heartfelt tribute
Sarah McLoughlin, 31, from Epsom
Sarah McLoughlin will embark on the challenging 26-mile route in memory of a close friend, who died of bowel cancer last year.
The 31-year-old is also raising money for the Bowel and Cancer Research charity in memory of John Fosbraey, who suffered from Crohn’s Disease for 10 years and lost his battle with bowel cancer aged just 38.
“In his honour, I’d like to do something he always encouraged me to do - push myself to achieve what I think is the impossible." she said.
“I thought I’d be like Paula Radcliffe by now – but I’m not. If I can just finish in under five hours, I will feel superhuman.”
Visit Sarah's JustGiving page here .
The dynamic duo
Debbie Leeland, 35, Ash Vale and Paula Marshall, 35, Billingshurst
Two friends who have known each other for 17 years will run the marathon blindfolded.
Debbie Leeland, 35, from Ash Vale said it would be a "crazy challenge".
"I will run the first half (13.1 miles) of the marathon blindfolded while Paula guides me and then we'll swap around," she said.
"We wouldn't being doing this without running for charity and of course this run will be for Guide Dogs for the Blind.
"Guide Dogs provide mobility and freedom to blind and partially sighted people and also campaign for the rights of people with visual impairment.
"Did you know, on average it costs £50,000 to breed, train, match and support each guide dog partnership throughout its lifetime?"
The pair have previously run the London Marathon three-legged but said running blindfolded will be a greater challenge.
Visit their fundraising page here .
The Specsavers Director
Lateef Iqbal, 47, from Farnham
Lateef Iqbal, who is aiming to complete the course in five and a half hours in aid of Blind Veterans UK, has already raised £750.
The 47-year-old came to hear about Blind Veterans UK through his work at Specsavers where he's been working for more than 17 years and is director of the Camberley , Alton and Farnham branches.
Visit Lateef's JustGiving page here .
The Nurse
Kate Tyson, 39, Northwood
Nurse Kate Tyson, who works at Michael Sobell Hospice in Northwood, is taking on the 26-mile challenge in a bid to raise extra funds for the hospice.
Kate from Croxley Green, has never run in a challenge event before, but wanted to raise money for the Michael Sobell Hospice charity.
She said: “It‘s very difficult to fit in the long hours of training around my nursing shifts, but I am determined to complete the London Marathon and raise some much needed funds for Michael Sobell Hospice.”
She has raised more than £1,700 so far, beating her £350 target by 495%.
Visit Kate's JustGiving page here .
The running enthusiast
Stacey Slater, 29, from Egham
Stacey Slater from Egham is attempting her first ever marathon to support disabled people in Surrey.
The 29-year-old commercial finance manager will run in support of Leonard Cheshire Disability, which provides care services for disabled people in Surrey.
She said: “I have been lucky enough to meet some of the wonderful people that Leonard Cheshire helps.
"Seeing the smiles all round as a result of the work this charity does was enough for me to step up to the challenge!
“I would like the money I raise for the charity to be spent on equipment such as computers that can be controlled by eye movement or some fun days out.”
She is looking to raise £2,500 and sponsors can support her through her JustGiving page .
Best friends
Matthew Curl, 29, Joe Revell and Jack Corbett from Walton
Walton resident Matthew Curl has been gearing up for the London Marathon on Sunday to raise money for the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
The 29-year-old has joined Team RNIB to give something back to the charity that has supported his best friend’s wife, who is losing her sight.
Matthew has never run a marathon before but will not be alone as he takes on the 26.2-mile challenge.
He will be joined on the start line on Sunday by best friend Jack Corbett and cheered on by Joe Revell.
The trio, who have been friends since they were 13, signed up to run the Virgin Money London Marathon together, inspired by Joe’s wife, Kat, who has recently been diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease.
Unfortunately Joe has had to withdraw due to injury but Matthew and Jack will be taking on the challenge for RNIB together.
Having never run more than six miles before signing up to take on the iconic event, Matthew has thrown himself into preparation, with regular interval training sessions and long runs with Jack each weekend in preparation for Sunday.
Matthew said: “Jack, Joe and I have known each other for years – we met at school and we’ve been best men at each other’s weddings.
“When Kat was diagnosed with Stargardt’s disease and started losing her sight, Joe came up with the idea of the three of us running the London marathon for the RNIB.
“Full of confidence, having run five miles a couple of days before, I stupidly said yes.
"Sadly he’s injured so will be watching from the sidelines but Jack and I are going to do him proud, I hope.
He added: “Training has been going well but it’s tough. However, the feeling at the end of a session is great and what’s even better is that I can eat whatever I want because I’m burning so many calories.”
“For me, running the marathon for RNIB is the best way I can support Joe and Kat.
“It’s a fantastic charity that makes such a difference and provides the support needed by so many people with sight loss, so I’m proud to be part of Team RNIB.”
Lizzi Wagner, RNIB senior challenge events manager, said: “It’s great to hear that we’ve been able to help Kat and Joe following Kat’s diagnosis. And Matthew taking on the London Marathon for RNIB with Jack is a lovely way to say thank you.
“The money he raises will enable us to continue to help people living with sight loss to face the future with confidence, so please dig deep and support his fundraising efforts.”
Matthew hopes to cross the finish line on Sunday in under four-and-a-half hours, and, with Jack, aims to raise £3,800 for RNIB.
To help him reach his fundraising target and support RNIB, donate here.
