THE streets of the capital are abuzz with anticipation as thousands of runners from around the globe lace up their trainers for this year’s London Marathon.

We caught up with several runners from north Essex to hear their inspiring tales as they prepare to tackle the iconic 26.2-mile course on Sunday.

It will be a first marathon for Ian Picken, from Great Bentley, and his brother, Paul, who are both raising money for The Sick Children’s Trust in memory of Ian’s daughter Seren.

The charity supported Ian and his wife, Katie, providing them with accommodation at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge when their daughter became ill with a rare genetic disorder at just seven weeks old.

Gazette: Inspiring - Ian Picken is running the London Marathon to raise money for The Sick Children's TrustInspiring - Ian Picken is running the London Marathon to raise money for The Sick Children's Trust (Image: Submitted)

Ian admits he “hated running” before starting his marathon training but he is now “super excited” to take on the marathon.

“I’m a cyclist, that’s what I enjoy,” the 38-year-old said. “I’m no stranger to doing endurance cycling challenges but I wanted to do something different this time.

“I didn’t want to just do a half marathon. I wanted to push my body to the limit and do a full marathon, and I’ve got to a stage where I’m quite enjoying it.”

Alongside Paul, 36, the brothers have started a podcast to document their journey to the London Marathon.

Ian added: “We’ve been talking about our training, what we’re learning, what advice we’ve been given, and we’ve talked about dealing with child loss as a father and an uncle. It’s just two brothers talking about the highs and lows of training.”

'Maranoia'

Also among the first-time marathoners is Gazette reporter Elliot Deady who is raising money for Anthony Nolan.

The charity saved his life in 2010 by matching him with a donor for a life-saving stem cell transplant.

Gazette: Training - Gazette reporter Elliot Deady ran the Colchester Half Marathon in preparation for the London MarathonTraining - Gazette reporter Elliot Deady ran the Colchester Half Marathon in preparation for the London Marathon (Image: Elliot Deady)

Elliot said: “My training has been full of ups and downs and it has been a real learning curve, especially when things haven’t gone to plan on the longer runs.

“There’s been a lot of talk about pre-marathon paranoia – ‘maranoia’ – and I’ve definitely felt that over the last few days, but I can’t wait to get going on Sunday.”

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Colchester Harrier Mark Lankester is taking on his first London Marathon to raise money for the mental health charity Mind, but he is no stranger to the 26.2-mile distance with seven marathons already under his belt.

“My maranoia has been quite bad for the last week or so but I’m quite excited about taking part in such an iconic event,” the 36-year-old said.

Gazette: Runner - Mark Lankester is raising money for the mental health charity MindRunner - Mark Lankester is raising money for the mental health charity Mind (Image: Mark Lankaster)

“I went to watch the London Marathon when I was younger and I was always in awe of everyone running it.

“It’s been tough to keep myself motivated especially when I started training for the marathon in early January and the weather was horrible, but I’m feeling positive about it now. I’m excited to do it.”

'Amazing and emotional'

Friends Lisa Oldman and Andrew Hollock will also be lacing up on Sunday to raise money for Heart UK, the country’s only cholesterol charity.

Gazette: Friends - Lisa Oldman and Andrew Hollock are running the London Marathon to raise money for Heart UKFriends - Lisa Oldman and Andrew Hollock are running the London Marathon to raise money for Heart UK (Image: Lisa Oldman)

The pair became friends after meeting at the Running Colchester running club and they both wanted to raise money for the charity after high cholesterol affected both of their families.

Lisa said training for the marathon has been “amazing and emotional”.

She said: “It’s taken planning and discipline to dedicate a day every week to the long run which of course got longer each week in the cold and very wet months, and we got wet a lot.

“But with great friends to train with us, mixing up the runs with weekly Parkruns and social runs with Running Colchester, it became a great story about the training, the people, our cause and preparing for the big day.

“It’s not always easy when you’re tired or the weather is gloomy, but running the London Marathon is a life goal and we are lucky to get a place.”