CHELMSFORD residents are pulling on their running shoes and training hard in preparation to tackle the London Marathon on Sunday.

The sporting heroes told the Weekly News why they are taking part and which charity they will be running for on the big day.

Jodie Mansfield, 24, from Chelmsford, is running for World Animal Protection.

She said: “As an animal lover, their purpose is close to my heart and I hope to raise a lot of money.” Donate at justgiving.com/JodieMansfield/

Samantha Wilkinson, 38, of The Westerings, Great Baddow, is running for Children With Cancer UK. She said: “This charity’s work is amazing.”

Donate at: uk.virginmoney giving.com/Samantha Wilkinson76

Declan Crace, 25, of Curzon Way, is running for Diabetes UK as his grandfathers have the condition.

He said: “The more work that can be done to raise awareness about diabetes the better.”

Donate at: justgiving.com/declancrace

Kelly Walker, 26, from Chelmsford is running for Crimestoppers.

She said: “It empowers people to give information about criminals safely and anonymously.”

Donate at: uk. virginmoney giving.com/ kellywalker5

See chelmsfordweeklynews.co.uk tomorrow morning for more photos of our city's brave runners!