A RUNNER who has twice completed the London Marathon in under four hours is chasing a personal best this year, while raising money for Barnsley FC Ladies.
Rachel Jardine, 47, was lucky enough to win ballot places in 2016 and 2017, finishing in three hours and 50 minutes and three hours and 45 minutes respectively.
It meant she won a ‘good for age’ place and qualified for this year’s 26.2-mile race which is on April 22.
Rachel, of Windsor Crescent, Monk Bretton, said: “I’m looking forward to it, and training has been going really well. It’s been a bit difficult because of the weather and I’ve had to do a few treadmill miles which I’ve never had to do before.
“I’ll be trying to get a personal best this year and another ‘good for age’ place but it all depends on the day.
“The London Marathon is an experience like no other. The crowds are amazing, and apart from the end, running over Tower Bridge is the best bit.
“That’s the bit that everyone watches on the television and that’s when you know you’re nearly half way.
“It’s the best atmosphere and really lifts you up.”
Rachel has been running for four years and has been with Barnsley Harriers for three-and-a-half years.
She is the secretary of Barnsley FC Ladies which has nine teams aged seven to 16. Rachel has decided to raise money for the club through sponsorship off her own back.
She said: “The money will go towards to club funds. We’ve just bought a defibrillator so if I could make enough to cover the cost of that then the money will go back into the club.
“It’s all self-funded.”
In the past two years, Rachel has raised more than £3,000 for Muscular Dystrophy charities as her cousin suffers from the condition.
And despite not having got the London Marathon out of the way, Rachel also has her sights set on the New York Marathon, which takes place in November.
To donate, visit her JustGiving page.
