A sports reporter is swapping his notepad for trainers as he attempts to run the London Marathon in April for the fourth time.

Southend Echo journalist Chris Phillips is gearing up for the 26.2 mile run to raise money for Havens Hospice which offers respite and care for adults and children at the end of their lives.

It is not the first time Chris has run for charity having raised £6,500 towards research into bowel cancer after completing a 34-mile run between four non-league football grounds in 2011.

In January, he also completed a 29-mile walk with Southend United fans from their home ground to Dagenham & Redbridge’s Victoria Ground.

Chris Phillips is training for his fourth London Marathon

“Most of all I want to do it to get my own back on the giant Bob the Builder who beat me last year and to raise as much money as possible for Havens Hospices,” he said.

“Through my job I’ve had plenty of contact with people who work there and the people who use the fantastic facilities they offer.

“Last time around I plodded round in a disappointing time, just beating the cleaners in a narrow sprint finish to the line, but I am determined to do much better in 2014.”

Chris will be blogging about his preparation for the big race in the coming weeks.

Anyone wishing to sponsor Chris can visit his Just Giving page by clicking here.