MARCH Athletic Club have offered runners the chance to join the club free of charge until the end of the year to help them prepare for next year’s London Marathon.

Anyone who then wishes to become a member of March AC can sign up in January and take advantage of discounted entry in any pre-marathon races they enter.

Debra Wait, March AC chairman said: “Having ran five London Marathons myself I know what it is like to train alone especially during those long weekend runs.

“We have all level of runners and joggers at the club so anyone is welcome. We will help them achieve their goal of completing the 2011 Virgin London Marathon.

“As well as meeting on a Tuesday and Thursday we also do our long runs on a Sunday from the club house at the Elm Road sports field. This is tailored to the individuals ability but over the months the Sunday runs will increase in distance and running with a crowd is far more motivational.”

Twenty-seven members competed in Sunday’s Great Eastern Run while five March juniors and their coach ran the fun run.

Paul Hensby finished 56th out of the 3,177 runners in the 13.1 mile half-marathon with a personal best of one hour, 19 minutes and 11 seconds.

Contact Debra Wait at debra.wait@talktalk.net for further details.