North-Essex runners will be out in force at today’s London Marathon, including one long-distance fanatic who has run not just a few but actually completed several hundred marathons. See here for all the latest travel news and build-up.

East Anglian Daily Times: Andy Wilmot, of Halstead Road Runners, who will rattle up his 711th marathon at London, a remarkable achievement. Picture: PHIL MORLEYAndy Wilmot, of Halstead Road Runners, who will rattle up his 711th marathon at London, a remarkable achievement. Picture: PHIL MORLEY (Image: Archant)

In fact Andy Wilmot, of Halstead Road Runners, has totalled an amazing 710 marathons, which means tomorrow will be his 711th marathon, and his 26th in London.

Not surprisingly, then, the 73-year-old spends most weekends running marathons, and he still clocks some very respectable times. He is looking for around the four-hour mark this weekend, having clocked 4:14.01 at Bungay from earlier in the month..

Another experienced Halstead Road Runners’ veteran in action will be Bob Langley, who is looking for a time of around 3:30.

Sara Burnham and Kathryn Bronson will both be running their third marathons, and first in London, while Steve May, Simon Humphrey, Jon Buist and Laura Marfleet will also be taking part in the colours of Halstead.

Meanwhile, Harwich Runners’ leading runner, Robert Reason, has decided not to run due to injuries, although several of his club-mates will be taking on the 26.2-mile challenge between Greenwich and The Mall.

Matt Doran already has 11 marathons under his belt, including London (five times), Manchester, Berlin and Brighton. His PB of 3:29 was set at Bungay in 2015.

Faye Brown will be relishing her first marathon, and Robin Brookes his second, with fellow Harwich athlete Francis Mills raising money for Cancer Research in his fourth marathon.

Tiptree Road Runners have a mixture of experienced and novice marathon runners on show this weekend. Lee Kerrison and Charlotte Steele will be attempting their first marathons, with the latter having raised £2,500 for St Helena Hospice in Colchester.

Lorraine Baker ran in Amsterdam two years ago, in a time of 4:32, and will be striving to beat that landmark in her second marathon, although club-mate Ann-Marie Bearne would be happy to break 5:30 in her first marathon.

Tina Clarke is aiming for 4:30, as is fellow Tiptree athlete Anthony Knight, although the 48-year-old has the benefit of running more than 25 marathons in past years, including a PB of 3:45 from Paris.