THE field for this year’s Chelmsford Marathon will include 78-year-old Judy Burston.

She is no stranger to endurance tests. She took part in her first London Marathon in 1982, aged 45, and at 69 joined the Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race over five days.

The Chelmsford event will be the second, following last year’s inaugural race.

Judy said: “I had watched the first London Marathon in 1981 on the television and was really moved by the commitment of the competitors and atmosphere of the event, especially when the two winners came in holding hands, which saysalot about the running fraternity.”

She added: “I told my family and friends that if I could get inIwould do that race the next year.Iknew nothing about long-distance running, except that to do that distance in a reasonable time you’ve got to put in a lot of training and I had 12 months.”

Judy uses her marathon running to fundraise for charity, focusing on online donations from friends and acquaintances.

Her training regime is anything but strict – she simply found out what worked for her and sticks to it.

She said: “At the 2007 London Marathon, I was pinning my number on my vest when I realised the young fellow sitting on the ground next to me was attaching his right leg–obviouslyalightweight running leg, as opposed to his normal one.

“When you see what some people manage to achieve, it is a very humbling experience.”

This year’s marathon takes place on October 18.

For more information, go to chelmsfordmarathon.org.uk