A woman training for the London Marathon is running with her dog in an effort to prepare her for a top performance on the big day.
On the run: Mrs Beverley Hancock and her dog, Magic. (150213JT1-58)
Mrs Beverley Hancock, 40, of Main Street, North Muskham, and her dog, Magic, have so far run up to 13 miles together. The marathon is on April 21.
She said: “Magic is not actually running the marathon on the day but he is doing the majority of training with me apart from the really big runs. I can’t think of anyone better to train with than my best friend.”
Magic is a two-year-old weimarana and is naturally a very active dog.
He has done the 5km CaniX race with Mrs Hancock, where the dogs are attached to their owners with a harness and they run round together.
He has also taken part in dog competitions.
The pair do much of their training at Sherwood Pines, Edwinstowe, to use the off-road trails.
Mrs Hancock said: “I like going to Sherwood Pines because that is better than doing it all on the roads. I have got up to a half-marathon and he did the full 13 miles.
“It gives me that bit more motivation to get out.”
Mrs Hancock wants to beat the 41/2-hour mark for the 26.2mile course and is raising money for I CAN, a charity for children with communication difficulties.
It runs the Dawn House School in Rainworth, a specialist school for five to 19 year olds with communication difficulties. Her son, Kane, who has autism, attends.
She aims to raise £1,800 and is organising an 1980s charity disco at North Muskham Rural Community Centre on March 16 to help towards the cause.
Tickets are £10 and can be bought by contacting Mrs Hancock on 07970 396084 or emailing
[email protected]
