By Leicester Mercury | Posted 8 October, 2013
Runners are gearing up to raise money for dozens of good causes when they take to the starting line of the Leicester Marathon.
Mum-of-three Tracey Morris, from Narborough, will be among the thousands gathering for the off at Victoria Park on Sunday morning.
The 34-year-old, whose mother Lynn Smith was cared for at LOROS in the final weeks of her life, seven years ago, is raising money for the city hospice.
"My mum died from pancreatic cancer just six weeks after being diagnosed," said Tracey.
"Staff at the hospice were truly amazing.
"It was quite tough watching someone you love disappearing before your eyes.
"Sometimes it was too much and I would have to leave the room but there was always a nurse to talk to and put an arm around my shoulder."
Tracey will be running her first Leicester Marathon with friend Ruth English, 32, from Narborough.
The pair, who ran the Great North Run, in Newcastle, for LOROS last month, have set themselves a £4,000 fund-raising target to help the charity.
"So far, we have raised £1,000 but hope to add to that on Sunday," said Tracey.
Thomas Townsend, 35, who lives in Leicester's West End, will also be running his first Leicester Marathon.
"I will be raising money for LOROS, in memory of my mum, Charlotte Townsend, who died in 2003 from lung cancer," he said.
"They were ever so good to her. It's taken me a while but I wanted to run the marathon to say thank you."
So far, more than 3,200 people have registered to take part.
This year's marathon will start and finish on Victoria Park at 9.15am. The route will take runners through the city centre and along the Golden Mile, passing through Syston, Barkby, Queniborough, Rearsby, Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake and East Goscote, before returning through Watermead Park and Abbey Park.
Other events on the day include a half marathon, the Ted Toft mile for young people, Cummins Solicitors' relay, and the Abbey Park to Victoria Park LOROS fun run.
The marathon is the principal fund-raising event for LOROS, in Groby Road, with race organisers for the charity calling for volunteers to help.
"We have a few worries over low volunteer numbers," said race director Christian Weikert-Picker.
"If anyone can spare a few hours to help support the runners by marshalling, please get in touch."
To volunteer, or find out more, call LOROS on 0116 231 8484.
