Three lifeboatmen are set to become marathon men.

The men, more at ease on the sea than the streets, have been pounding out the miles to prepare for the London Marathon next month.

Tim Sutton and Chris French, who both work for Tendring Council, are raising money for the RNLI and the third runner in their team, Tim Dye, is bringing in the money for MacMillan Nurses after a family friend died of cancer.

Chris, who lives in Great Bentley is an experienced runner. He is manager of Clacton Leisure Centre and has already run two marathons so is leading the way with the training schedule.

In the summer, just months after joining the lifeboat crew at Clacton, he suggested the money spininng idea and the other two agreed "in a moment of madness".

Now they are out four times a week running, along the seafront and working out in the gym and are regularly topping the 16-mile targets.

Tim Sutton, of Anchor Road, Clacton, who is a senior seafront officer for the council, admits it's hard work but says it will be worthwhile if the two of them can raise more than £3,000 for the RNLI.

Tim Dye, a boat builder at Brightlingsea, who lives in Vista Road, Clacton, is aiming to collect more than £1,000 by his efforts.

Published Friday, March 22, 2002