Stockholm beckons tomorrow for regional press reporter James Hore when he tackles the city's marathon.

James, chief reporter on the Essex edition of the East Anglian Daily Times, has spent six months preparing for the 26.2-mile course.

He is running his first marathon for Diabetes UK in memory of his grandmother who died after suffering from the disease.

James, (30), said: "A friend of mine is Swedish and she came up with the idea of doing the Stockholm Marathon.

"I started with two or three miles and built up to eight miles and then did Bungay Half Marathon in April in the snow.

"It was quite a big thing and gave me the confidence to the marathon. I've been doing up to 20 miles in preparation.

"The toughest thing is going to be the heat – I checked the internet and they're saying about 21 degrees."

James's initial fundraising target of £500 has already been surpassed and he now looks set to hit the £800 mark.

His paper's company runs a scheme called Archant Gold whereby it meets once a year to consider bids for charity and he is hoping management will double his final donations amount.

James, a reporter with the EADT for six years, is sure that this will be his only marathon though.

"Beyond Saturday, it's straight into retirement," he added.

"I would like to carry on doing marathons but it's really taken its toll on my knees.

"I keep moaning and everyone is getting sick of hearing about it."

To sponsor James visit his online fundraising page.

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