A MARATHON veteran has been coaching the 15-strong Stanmore Running Group by pounding the pavements of the town with them each Sunday.
Piyush Gudka, 53, of Howberry Road, Stanmore, who is competing in his 26th race at this distance, said the tight-knit team has been meeting each Sunday outside Lidl in The Broadway, Stanmore, to train.
Member Shila Shah said: "The secret is all in the coaching, motivation and support."
Having followed Piyush's programme of varied terrain runs around Harrow, Barnet and Hertfordshire, the runners' schedule reached a climax when the group completed a 25-mile 'Stanmore Marathon' on March 29.
Mehul Khimasia said: "I've trained for marathons before, but this is the first time I have come across such a fun and supportive group.
"You feel confident during the run - and if you are having a bad day then you will meet a smiling face and in the worst case, get a ride home if need be!"
Stanmore Running Group even has its own band of supporters who hand the athletes fluids and nutrition during their long runs.
Piyush said this year's group will together raise more than £30,000 for good causes such as Life4Children, OneCause, Pratham Read India Project, NSPCC, WellChild and the Chinmaya Mission.
