AN INVERKEITHING runner who only took up the sport last year is ready to race the London Marathon in a bid to raise money for a cause close to her heart.

Jacqueline Hatrick (35), of Fordell Way, is gearing up to take on the 26.2-mile challenge in April to reach her £2000 target for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Jacqueline watched her mum suffer from Type 1 diabetes throughout her life and she is determined to make her goal both for the charity and for herself.

“My mum has diabetes, so it’s something I’ve grown up with,” she explained. “It affects her whole life but it affects people around you as well. It’s not a nice thing to have – a lot of people suffer from it and there’s nothing they can do. I like that the money is going towards a research foundation who are doing something to try to cure it.

“If I could raise the £2000 it would just be the light at the end of the tunnel, it will be such a good feeling. You want to do it for yourself but to have something that you’re doing it for makes it more rewarding. It definitely helps when it’s close to your heart.” Incredibly, Jacqueline is getting ready to take on the monster marathon after only starting to run relatively recently.

“I took it up last year and I’ve done two half-marathons,” she said. “At the end of September I applied for the London Marathon – that’s the one I wanted to do. At first I got rejected because it’s really hard to get into but they called me back when a space became available so I was delighted.

“My body hurts a lot, I’m not going to lie!” she admitted. “I run three times a week and at the moment I’m following the London Marathon training plan so I’m trying to take that advice and eat the right stuff. I’ve also been doing conditioning work in the gym and trying to put everything into place. It’s been a bit of a challenge to get fit and to raise money. All I can see is crossing the finish line and getting that medal, the thought makes me so happy.” Jacqueline is also planning to hold a charity night at the start of April to raise more funds and she revealed that she’s already had help in the form of donations and raffle prizes from local businesses. “Some people have been really good,” she said. “I’ve had restaurants giving me vouchers for meals and things like that. People have been really generous, it’s amazing.” While she’s busy preparing for the race in terms of both fitness and funds, Jacqueline knows that the one thing keeping her going is the excitement of taking part in the huge event, which takes place on 26th April. I can’t wait to even just be on my way to London,” she said. “I’m doing it all by myself but my mum will be cheering me on, she’s really proud and she’s even asked me to wear something recognisable so she’ll be able to see me!” Jacqueline’s charity night will be held at 7pm on Saturday 4th April at Rosyth’s Ex Servicemen’s Club on Admiralty Road and you can get tickets by emailing Jacqueline.Hatrick@BSkyB.com To help Jacqueline raise her target for JDRF visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jacquelinehatricklondonmarathon2015