AMONG the 30,000 runners lining up for the start of this Sunday's London Marathon will be a seven-strong contingent representing Cirencester Athletics Club.

Carrying the club's hopes on her shoulders for a good placing will be Wendy Jones (34) in what is her first attempt at the distance. With her training going according to plan, she has run impressively in races during the winter.

In fact, she was unbeaten in all the Glo'shire and Oxfordshire cross country races, winning the ladies' category in the Bourton-on-the-Water 10k just over a month ago.

Not far behind should be Keith Firkin (42), one of the club's best male runners.

After winning the club's cross country title for the second time last winter, he will be hoping to break the three-hour mark which has just eluded him on previous occasions.

Another debutant is 31-year-old Bill Leggate. Although he professes to be only aiming to get round, his current form - notably an excellent run in the recent Chedworth Roman Trail - suggests something better is on the cards.

Also tackling her first 26-miler is Allison Emes (24) who has been running well in training and is expected to finish in about four hours.

If experience counts for anything, Cirencester's other three runners should have no fears of the race.

David Edelsten (59), looking to negotiate his tenth London Marathon, is not expecting to better four and a half hours on his limited amount of training and, likewise, Liza Darroch (56) will be happy to finish in a similar time.

Finally, Fred Robson (73), a veteran of many marathons, will be running in London for the fifth year in succession and hoping for a good placing in his age category.