UCLAN law student Francesca Balon, aged 20, had only run 5k distances until a year ago before deciding to start running outdoors and aim for the London Marathon.

Since then she has been paired with licensed guide Sarah McDermott by UK Athletics who had been running courses locally and which several Lymm Runners had attended.

Club co-chairman Lynn Mosely said: “Having guide runners in the club means that we can make running even more inclusive so it’s good development at many levels.

“As individual runners we benefit from understanding the challenges faced by some other runners and the club benefits by increasing the diversity of our membership and enabling guide runners to run safely.”

Both have been following a tough winter schedule of training runs and races including muddy, stony tracks, large puddles and uneven pavements.

Notable milestones have been completing the High Legh 10k in just over one hour in March (pictured) and the Wilmslow Half Marathon a couple of weeks later in two hours 17 minutes.

Francesca is running for Guide Dogs for the Blind on Sunday, April 23.

For more and to help her raise money visit virginmoneygiving.com.

Lymm Runners meet outside the leisure centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, and outside the library on Sundays at 8.30am and Wednesdays at 9.15am.

The club was formed in 2010 and now has more than 240 members. It is the only running club in the village.

•  For more information visit lymrunners.org.uk.