SIXTEEN runners from the Forest of Dean Athletic Club will be pounding the streets of the capital in the 37th London Marathon next month.

Many will be running for good causes, including Martin Adams who will be doing his first London run in aid of Children with Cancer three years to the day since having a hip replacement.

Julian Boon will be tackling the capital’s course on Sunday, April 23, for the fifth time in 10 years for mental health charity MIND, in tribute to his sister who died in 2006.

Gemma Hewitt won’t have any fear of running 26 miles having warmed up with a 45-mile ultra marathon on Saturday, March 4.

She is tackling her first London Marathon in aid of cancer charity Tenovus in tribute to her mother, raising money for trauma care in her first London Marathon, alongside Jessica Ko, Sally Turner and Robert Freeman.

Husband and wife duo Brian and Stefanie Francis will both be striding out for the second time in the capital, having won places in public and club ballots respectively, and will be cheered on my Stef’s parents, who are winging in from Germany to watch the race.

Angela Bowkett won her works ballot at Suntory Lucozade Ribena to land a place in her first London marathon, while Mellisa Ruck will be making her debut in aid of Great Oaks in Coleford and Catherine Roberts will be running her 11th marathon overall.

It will be the third time in the capital for Chris Moore, who won a ‘good for age’ place, alongside Richard Peglar in his second London Marathon and Andrew Kaye in his first, with Jane Creed making her bow after winning her place in a club ballot.