Two runners will be undertaking the London Marathon on Sunday - but without their fitness instructor.
Denise Miller, 42, and David Sage, 46, of Clacton, will be taking part in the gruelling race for the first time but say none of it would have been possible without ten-year-old Bracken, Mr Sage's dog.
Marathon effort - Denise Miller and David Sage with dog Bracken
The german shepherd, who lives with Mr Sage at Lancaster Gardens East, has been a running companion since he was one and helping the pair prepare for the big day since last year.
Miss Miller, of Victoria Road, said he has been a great morale booster: "If I was running at the back at all, when David ran faster, he would always be with me and come back and run with me. He helped me along and kept me company."
But as they have run longer distances, it has been a bit too much for Bracken to manage.
Mr Sage, who is managing director of Clacton-based plastic manufacturer, Delau, said: "We will be missing our running partner but I'm really looking forward to the marathon."
As Mr Sage's 19-year-old son, Lewis, suffers from chronic asthma, the pair are doing the run to raise cash for the National Asthma Campaign.
Published Wednesday, April 9, 2003
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