A MUM who had never run before New Year's Day will take on the 13.1 mile half marathon challenge on Sunday.

Marie Beswick decided to start running aged 35 earlier this year and will take part in the English Half Marathon to raise money for Cancer Research.

The Great Sankey woman started with a couch to 5k and then couch to 10k before sorting her own training plan for the half marathon.

And training has been going so well that she is hoping to beat her previous aim of finishing in three hours.

She decided to race for Cancer Research after family and friends were affected by the disease.

And her children Sophie and Freya have proved especially inspirational, giving her a sticker every time she goes for a run – so much so that her bedside unit is almost full.

To sponsor Marie visit justgiving.com/fundraising/marie-beswick