Runners are limbering up for the Royal Parks Half Marathon.

The annual event returns to the capital for the tenth year on October 8 as participants run through Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

Among those taking part are a couple from West Kensington, who will take on the 13.1-mile course while tied at the leg, and a woman from Hayes who has lost more than eight stone in 15 months.

The run, takes in the capital’s world-famous landmarks on closed roads and takes in four of London’s eight Royal parks.

Katharine Coldman and fiancé Mark Richardson, from West Kensington, will race three-legged to raise money for schools in Africa.

The 29-year-old’s from Stonor Road are hoping to raise at least £5,000 for African Promise, a charity started by Ms Coldman’s brother Charles.

Engaged couple Katharine Coldman and Mark Richardson, from West kensington, will run three-legged

She said: “Mark ran the New York Marathon recently and I ran the Edinburgh half marathon a few years ago so we decided to add to the challenge of running a half marathon to encourage as many donations as possible for African Promise.

“We decided that a three-legged half marathon would definitely be a suitable challenge, and given that African Promise’s primary role is working with schools in rural Kenya, we have also decided to run wearing colouring pencil costumes!”

The couple, who are both reinsurance brokers at Aon, are keen gym-goers and are planning 16 weeks of intense training prior to the Royal Parks Half Marathon.

They plan to tie the knot in the more traditional sense in May next year.

Ms Coldman added: “Ideally, we would like to complete the half in around the two-hour mark, but that may be a bit ambitious! I think we would both be pleased with something under two hours 30 minutes.

“Quite frankly, just doing it without falling over or falling out will be an achievement!”

Louise Visminas, from Hayes, is taking on the 13.1 miles as part of a wider fitness regime that has seen her lose 52 kilos - more than eight stone - since February 2016.

She said: “I ended up having a few health issues and eventually came to the realisation that it had to stop. Something needed to change and that’s when I decided to start improving my fitness.”

She will raise money for Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for blind and vision-impaired ex-service men and women.

Louise Visminas is taking part after shedding more than eight stone

Looking ahead to the challenge, the 49-year-old said: “This half marathon is a huge challenge for me as I’ve never been a runner of any kind of distance before, but I know I’ll get through it and it’ll all be worth it!

"For anyone thinking about doing something similar, I’d say just do it and make sure you have fun. Raising money for any charity doesn’t have to be hard work, it can be the most amazing fun and incredibly rewarding experience.”

To sponsor Ms Coldman and Mr Richardson click here.

To support Ms Visminas click here.

To find a charity place for the Half Marathon visit the official website.

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