TWO Sutton runners are heading for the capital this weekend ready to take part in this year’s London Marathon.
Stephanie Savage and Jayne Leponis will be on the starting line on Sunday morning hoping to complete the 26.2 miles around the city’s icon landmarks cheered on by family and friends.
Stephanie, who lives in Sutton Heath, took up running in 2016 as a member of a club in Rainhill and then joined Widnes Running Club in 2018.
The 40-year-old, who works for an engineering and architecture firm in Daresbury, has completed half marathons and a metric marathon in the past but has never run a full marathon.
Stephanie started training for this year’s event in January and has spent the past 15 weeks working hard so that she can finish the race in under four-and-a-half hours.
She’ll be cheered on by her partner Kevin and friends from the running club as she runs to raise money for Huntington’s Disease Association.
To make a donation to Stephanie’s page click here
Her initial target was £500 but her current total is nearly £1,600.
Stephanie said: “I’m feeling a little nervous ahead of the race as I don’t really know what to expect but I’m going to enjoy the experience regardless.”
She added: “I’m looking forward to a large celebratory gin and tonic when I finish!”
Sutton resident Jayne Leponis will be joining Stephanie in Greenwich Park for the start of Sunday’s race.
The 53-year-old has been running for a few years but started training for the London Marathon last October.
She’s hoping to finish the race in under five hours and raise as much money as possible for The British Heart Foundation.
Jayne, who owns a film company and has worked on box office hits like The Mummy and The Avengers, sadly lost her mum Marie last August.
Jayne said: “I’ve got a few health problems and have struggled over the last couple of years after losing both my parents.
“I’m up against it but will cross that finish line for them both.”
She added: “It will be emotional when I finish the race but I’ll be looking forward to long soak in a hot bath.”
To make a donation to Jayne’s page click here
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