TANYA was watching TV. The next day she told Nicola all about it, said they should have a try. Helen wasn't so sure but thought some more; and last Sunday the three friends found themselves in London - running its marathon.

Not something they had ever seen themselves doing, netball and gym kept them in trim.

What Tanya saw in last year's London Marathon was going to take these 'fit chicks' further than they ever thought they would - or could - go.

In getting there they represent all that the event is about.

Tanya Hogg, Nicola Hartley and Helen Palmer work together in advertising at The Hereford Times.

Work and play hard

They often play together too - hard.

Nowhere near as hard as marathon training was going to be.

Tanya can still feel that first run. Twice round the racecourse last September, with a stop after one lap and a fall from Nicola. There might even have been some walking.

Helen joined them a week later to tackle the King George Playing Fields with Castle Green thrown in.

While that went better, it left the three in little doubt as to what they had to do.

But acting against this doubt was one of those whims that arrive out of nowhere to become all consuming.

That night they decided. Together they were going to work at this marathon; together they were going to make it work for them.

And they were going to raise money as they did, around £3,000 for the Mental Health Foundation.

So the three took to the streets - at weekends, after work - seeing their city in a different light. A city measured out in run routes that little by little became the London they had sights set on.

By December they knew they could get there, able to do 10 miles and feel good about it; that once elusive half-marathon - a barrier as much mental as it was physical - but a few more blisters away.

As the three pounded pavement into the New Year, a network of family, friends and colleagues was right behind - urging them on, closer and closer to the big day.

They were there when that big day arrived too. Helen's boyfriend Jon Clewer and Nicola's boyfriend Huw Field followed the three by tube and rail with drinks. Nicola's brother Andrew and his girlfriend Vanessa cycled alongside for some of the way serving the same function. Nicola's mum and dad planned six spectator points to cheer them on, take pictures and offer the girls extra carbohydrate drinks to get them the distance.

"We must have gone through every emotion once that hooter went to start us off," said Helen. The 'sheer euphoria' of being underway, an 'overwhelming' atmosphere, the Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Horseguards, The Mall. A 'big hug' at the end.

And the 'agony' it took to reach that end. Digging in over those last six miles, arriving under their five-hour target - Helen 4.41, Nicola 4.57, and Tanya 4.58.

Back at work on Tuesday they wouldn't be doing it again. Though they might make another half-marathon before the year is out.

Meantime, after all the training, chafing and special dieting, they're just looking forward to 'having a drink - living a little.'

l Helen, Nicola and Tanya were just three from the county contingent in this year's London Marathon. All have stories similar to theirs.

Like Jon Leeuwaugh, another first-timer, who raised £1,500 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF). There is a history of heart disease in his family - his dad had a heart attack 10 years ago - so he 'wanted to do something positive' to help a worthy cause.

The same cause that attracted teacher Greg Harwood. He raised £800 running the route in three hours, 20 minutes.

Also among the many local runners were David Fletcher and Mike Chandler who raised £15,000 for the NSPCC, topping the £10,000 they raised last year.