NEIGHBOURS will become good running mates when two more Mattishall contenders line up for the 2009 London Marathon this month.Seasoned marathon campaigner Peter Cappuccio will be joined in the capital on Sunday, April 26, by race newcomer Sally Lloyd, who lives just a few doors away in Moorfield Road.

NEIGHBOURS will become good running mates when two more Mattishall contenders line up for the 2009 London Marathon this month.

Seasoned marathon campaigner Peter Cappuccio will be joined in the capital on Sunday, April 26, by race newcomer Sally Lloyd, who lives just a few doors away in Moorfield Road.

And for the 47-year-old mum of two, taking part will be the fulfilment of a long-held dream - and follows several previous disappointingly unsuccessful attempts to gain a place through the ballot entry system.

Sally, a secretary and receptionist at Honingham building firm H Smith & Sons, took up running when she hit 40.

'I had always been interested in keeping fit, mainly through aerobics and swimming, but when I started running I could only do half-a-mile before I'd be out of breath,' she recalled.

After building up her stamina she became an enthusiastic Race for Life runner and moved up to half-marathon level in Norwich.

'But it was always my ambition to go for the marathon distance, and it had to be THE marathon - the London one,' said Sally, who is married to Cefyn and has sons Gareth and Rhys.

A calf injury three weeks ago hampered her training schedule, but she is back pounding the streets of Mattishall.

She said: 'I'm determined to be on that starting line come what may.'

Touched by the stories of friends who are suffering from or who have succumbed to the disease, Sally is running to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

And her sponsor money will be shared by the East Anglian air ambulance - the family is closely involved with Wymondham Rugby Club, which has had occasion to welcome the airborne mercy team's services.

Peter, who works at the Shell UK installation at Bacton in north Norfolk, is running this year for the Sheringham-based Break charity, which provides holidays and respite care for children and adults with learning disabilities.

He hopes to raise about �2,000 in sponsorship.

This week, he thanked his bosses at work as well as Eddy Bales at Poultec and Jon Playford at JMP financial advisers, both based in Mattishall, the Rembrandt fish restaurant at Easton and other sponsors for their continued support for his efforts.

Peter is gunning for a time of about three hours 30 minutes in the 2009 marathon.

Sally said: 'I shall be happy to finish, but I would really like to see a time of under five hours. I know Peter will be way ahead of me - he's much fitter!'

To sponsor Peter call 07969 488390, and to support Sally's fundraising call 01362 850722.

Another marathon runner will be Louise Juby who is raising funds for the St John Ambulance. She lives and works in London from Monday to Friday but comes home to Toftwood most weekends.

An avid Norwich City fan, most of her training has been around Dereham, Toftwood and Scarning.

London will be her first 26-miler, although she has tacked quite a few half-marathons, including two Great North runs and the Reading half-marathon at the weekend. Louise is aiming for a time of under four hours.

To sponsor Louise log on to www.justgiving.com/louisejuby