EXPERIENCE as a special needs teacher has helped Ros Liddington decide to run her first marathon in aid of I-Can, the speech and language nursery at Woodlands First School, Bemerton Heath.

Ms Liddington (47), of Britford Lane, Salisbury, made her decision last autumn and admits that, until now, she had always hated running.

"I went to South Wilts Grammar School and absolutely hated all forms of sport," she said.

She did her teacher training at Hertford College, went on to the University of Minnesota, where she did her special needs training, and taught in Liberia, before working for 11 years in Japan.

Ms Liddington has been out in all weathers this winter, running to work at Wilton House, home of the Earl of Pembroke, where she is education officer, and has enjoyed all of it.

Another factor in her choice of charity is that Lady Diana Herbert, sister of Lord Pembroke, is a national patron of I-Can.

"I know I look stupid when I'm running," Ms Liddington said, "but I just smile when people make comments.

"I enjoy the camaraderie among other people who are out early in the morning, too."

At barely 5ft tall, Ms Liddington has calculated that she will have to run 65,000 steps through the streets of London on April 13.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Ms Liddington can contact her on 01722 338323.

Severe headaches almost prevented Sue Dove continuing to train for the marathon.

But the 39-year-old mother of three, who is committed to raising more than £1,000 for the National Asthma Campaign, struggled on until she was advised by Simon Royle, of Sole Obsession, in Harnham, that it was her running shoes that were causing the problem.

Mrs Dove, who lives in Imber Avenue, Boscombe Down, said: "I've not had any more headaches since I got my new shoes, so I have resumed training but I think I shan't be able to run all the 26 miles on April 13.

"I lost so much time because of the headaches that I haven't built up the distance."

In common with the other 400 asthmatics running next month, Mrs Dove will take a precautionary dose of salbutamol 15 minutes before the race.

The charity is hoping to raise £m for research, and Mrs Dove has already held an aromatherapy party and a table-top sale, done bag-packing for shoppers at Amesbury Co-op and obtained pledges of sponsorship from friends.

"But it's like facing two challenges," she said, "having to raise the money and train for the run."

To support Mrs Dove's effort, she can be reached on 01980 622697.