IF you have always wanted to run in the London Marathon but never secured a place or thought it could be too much of a challenge, the Cancer Research Campaign has come up with a solution which will also help raise funds for its vital work.

To coincide with Britain's largest road race, the country's leading cancer charity is launching a fun way of running the Marathon without having to set foot outside your own health club.

Called Marathon Mania, you can choose to run the 26 miles and 365 yards in a relay team or on your own at your health club or in a local authority gym. Run on the day (April 13) or over a number of sessions during the two weeks prior to the event.

For the £10 Marathon Mania individual entry fee, you will receive a free t-shirt, sponsor forms, progress chart, poster and certificate on completion and if you raise over £50 in sponsorship, your entry fee will be refunded. And health club managers can buy a Marathon Mania pack for up to 26 runners which costs £175 plus VAT.

For further information and application forms, contact Tracy Cooper at Cancer Research Campaign, 10 Cambridge Terrace, London NW1 4JL or telephone 0171 224 1333/fax 0171 487 4673.

DIANA MORAN (The Green Goddess)

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.