A TEAM of estate agents from Bracknell and Wokingham will be lacing up their trainers to take on the London Marathon.

The runners - Michael Cook, Matt Witney, Alec Macklin and Chloe Turner - who all work for Romans will be tackling the 26.2 mile course in aid of several charities.

Despite bouts of injury and illness, the team are training hard for what will be their first marathon and are supporting the Epilepsy Society, Naomi House and Age UK.

Wokingham branch manager Matt, who is running for Naomi House and Jacksplace hospice, said: “It’s the fear of the unknown, I’ve always been keen to run the marathon but there has always been something in the way.

“I wanted to get to know the charity so I went along to visit the hospice for the day, and it was really moving. It’s an unbelievable place, they are an unreal charity. I have children myself so it really hit home what kind of service they are providing not only for the children, but for their families as well.”

Managing director of lettings Michael Cook, who is running for the Epilepsy Society, has been taking his training very seriously, clocking up around 50 miles of running a week.

He said: “I’ve put a lot of pressure on myself to get a good time, but if I raise a decent amount of money for the charity that is the main thing.
“I have never run a marathon before so I started my training in September and have built up quite a distance now.”

Recruitment manager Chloe said running the marathon had been a goal of hers for a long time and will also be raising money for the Epilepsy Society. She said: “When the opportunity came my way I jumped at it and honoured to be running for a charity that really does deserve our support."

Regional manager Alec Macklin said: “I am running for Age UK as my wife is involved in the charity so it seemed like the right thing to do.

“I have been running three times a week, but I’ve had some time off with the flu recently so I’m trying to get back into it.

“I am really looking forward to the marathon, it’s going to be hard but I know the atmosphere will just be incredible. Lots of people have been giving us some really good advice, and the main thing is to just enjoy it and take it all in.”

The team all have separate fundraising pages: to sponsor Michael visit https://www.justgiving.com/Michael-Cook13; to sponsor Matt visit www.justgiving.com/Matthew-Witney2; to sponsor Alec visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-display/showROFundraiserPage?userUrl=AlecMacklin&pageUrl=1; and to sponsor Chloe visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ChloeTurner-LondonMarathon.