BRIAN Cole has only one thing on his mind as he prepares for tomorrow's starting pistol -- an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington.

That's the prize on offer to any Marine who manages to run a sub 2hrs 30mins time in this year's London Marathon.

And it's not hard to see why Cole is confident of booking himself a ticket on the plane.

The 28-year-old Darwener is the current British champion at cross country skiing -- a sport widely regarded as one of the toughest in the world.

So in comparison, running a marathon should be a stroll in the park -- or so the theory goes.

"Fitness-wise, it's not a problem -- I'm certainly fit enough to run a marathon," said Cole.

"But it's all about trying to turn my skiing legs into running legs.

"Twenty six miles is a long way because I'm normally used to competing in skiiing races which are about half the distance.

"But my training has gone well and I am feeling confident."

Cole has been selected to run for the Royal Marines in the Navy's four-man team.

And with the rest of the Forces also entering sides, there's more than just a battle against the clock at stake.

"All the Forces enter four people in a team so the likes of the RAF and the Army are all competing.

"There's a great rivalry between us and they'll be a lot of pride at stake.

"We finished third last year which is probably the best we've ever done.

"And we want to do even better than that this time." But an extra incentive for Cole and his team is the carrot of a trip to America in October to compete in the Washington Marathon.

"The top two from the Navy will get the chance to go to Washington and that means a five-star hotel and everything.

"But they are all good runners in the Navy team so I'm probably going to have to run sub 2hrs 30mins."

Cole's best performance so far was a fourth place finish in the Snowdon marathon.

But his best ever time is 2hrs 33mins which achieved in London last year

At one point, though, he was on course for 2hrs 24mins until he hit 'the wall'.

"I was on for it at one point then suddenly I didn't have anything left in my legs and the last mile took me eight minutes," said Cole.

"But I'm better prepared this time.

"It's mainly a battle of the mind more than anything.

"And you have got to be confident from the start." In skiing, Cole has just celebrated one of his best season's ever by becoming the British champion.

And he has also been selected for the six-man British biathlon squad for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

But he would love to emulate those achievements on the snow with a similar performance on the streets of London, where he is aiming to clock up a personal best.

"I'd be happy with a time of 2hrs 28mins but, ideally, I'm looking for 2hrs 24mins.

"It all depends on the day, though.

"I'll have to see how I feel around the 22 mile mark."