TWO Bewdley teachers are gearing up to run a half marathon in Birmingham to raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Jane Wagstaff and Linda Withey, close friends and colleagues at St Anne’s Primary School, say they are prepared for the EDF Energy Birmingham Half Marathon event on October 11.

Mrs Withey, 41, said: “My partner is serving in the army in Afghanistan and at first I wanted to run for Help for Heroes but he wanted me to do if for Cancer Research UK.

“Everyone has been touched by cancer in some way. My partner is being supportive of me even from practically the other side of the world.”

She added: “It will be a real achievement to run in the event and I would like to do it in under two and a quarter hours.”

Miss Wagstaff, 33, said that even though they were both members of Bewdley Rowing Club they had initially found training for the event difficult.

She said: “Running is a different type of fitness and we struggled a little when we first started training.”

She explained that training had given them the opportunity to get to know parts of the Wyre Forest better and to appreciate the district more.

Miss Wagstaff said her uncle had died of cancer during the summer and Cancer Research UK was important to her.

But she added that taking part in the half marathon was also about having fun and enjoying the experience.

She said: “We are also very good friends and we give each other moral support and encourage each other to keep improving.

“There is a competitiveness between us and that helps to egg us on.”

To sponsor the duo visit www.runningsponsorme.org/janewagstaff