A MAN who helped train the county's Paralympic stars to success at London 2012 is now about to undertake a challenge of his own.

Ben Harwood is the strength and conditioning coach of Josie Pearson, Sascha and Nyree Kindred and James Bevis.

The foursome each gained medals at the London Olympic Games - with Josie coming home with a gold.

Now Ben has set his own personal goal by competing in his first London Marathon next Sunday.

"The Olympics was amazing and was definitely my career highlight, but running in the London Marathon is something that I have always wanted to do," said Ben, who works at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) in Hereford.

"I am not really a long distance runner, so I would be really pleased in completing it in around four hours.

"I'm doing my own training to get the miles in my legs and have been doing a lot of strength training."

Ben will be running in aid of RNC and British Blind Sport and has so far raised more than £10,000.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/Ben-Harwood2

Meanwhile, Seb Bowley will be competing in the marathon in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.

The 22-year-old, from Newtown Road, Hereford, said that his cousin Adam Newbury previously had skin cancer so he wanted to do something to raise money for the charity.

"I wanted to do it for the challenge as well," said Seb.

"I have done half marathons, which was quite liberating.

"Hopefully, I can complete it in seven to eight hours, but just getting through it is the aim."

Seb, who works for Hi-Town Taxis, is being supported by Supported Housing for Young People (SHYPP).

To sponsor him, visit justgiving.com/SebBowley-LondonMarathon-2014