By ADAM LAZZARI A BRAIN tumour meant that Eamonn Dorling was once unable walk 200 yards. But Dorling, from Whittlesey, is now aiming to get in the top 10 in the 55-60-year age group at this month s London Marathon. Dorling, 55, has been a competitive run

By ADAM LAZZARI

A BRAIN tumour meant that Eamonn Dorling was once unable walk 200 yards.

But Dorling, from Whittlesey, is now aiming to get in the top 10 in the 55-60-year age group at this month's London Marathon.

Dorling, 55, has been a competitive runner since he was in his 20s but feared he would never race again when he suffered a brain tumour in 2001.

He said: "I struggled to walk never mind run when I came out of hospital. I went for my first jog about two or three months later and it really hurt - I could feel the surgery that had been done on me.

"I got through it with the help of my wife Lesley, my daughters Lauren and Emma and my friends. I've been incredibly lucky to have that support."

Dorling, a member of Thorney Running Club, made a full recovery and now races regularly.

At March Athletic Club's Hereward Relay he was the first runner to complete the entire 38-mile distance solo.

He also finished first in the Stamford Valentine's 30k in February.

Dorling said: "I'm pleased with the times I am making. I checked the results for my age group of the last few London Marathons and the top 10 usually do it in about three hours. There will be hundreds running in this category and it will be a good challenge but I believe the top 10 is a good target for me."

Dorling runs between 50 and 60 miles a week in training.

He is out for an hour and a half a night, six nights a week.

It will be the sixth time Dorling has run the 26-mile London Marathon on April 25.

He qualifies automatically by making his age group's qualification time, 3hrs 15mins.

Dorling completed the Edinburgh Marathon in 3hrs 1min.

He said: "The London Marathon is such an iconic race, and you run past so many famous sites.

"I've not run it for several years. I was a lot younger back then and was running so fast I was not able to enjoy the surroundings - I'm sure it will be a lot more enjoyable this year.