AN EAST Anglian Daily Times journalist is to swap his shorthand for his shorts and run the Stockholm Marathon this weekend.

Annie Davidson

AN EAST Anglian Daily Times journalist is to swap his shorthand for his shorts and run the Stockholm Marathon this weekend.

James Hore will be taking on the gruelling 26-mile course in the Swedish capital on Saturday to raise money for Diabetes UK in memory of his grandmother, Joyce Whorton who suffered from the illness.

When the 30-year-old Colchester-based reporter began his training six months ago, he was running just a few miles at a time.

But along with marathon partner, Karl Delaine, of Bures, the pair have been doing 20-mile trips to ensure they are ready for the big day.

James said: “It means a lot to me to be running this in memory of my nan and I have had a lot of people wishing me well so I will be remembering all their encouragement when my knees are aching and it starts to get tough.

“I am really looking forward to the big day - it will be nice to finally get on with the run after all the build up - we are just hoping it will not be too hot out there because it is so much easier when the conditions are cooler.

“When I agreed to doing the marathon, I did not really realise just how much hard work would be involved with the training.

“There have been a lot of highs and lows along the way - the times when you think it will be a 'walk in the park' and then the days when you question how on earth you will complete the course.”

James is hoping the EADT's parent company, Archant, will match his fundraising with its scheme that doubles the amount raised by employees, meaning his final figure could top £1,000.

n Anyone wanting to sponsor James can add a donation at www.justgiving.com/jameshore