THERE is a good way to find out if your friends will stick by you through thick and thin...get them to run alongside you in the London Marathon.

Paula Johns, 38, owner of Medusa salon in Drury Lane, Colchester, is running the marathon for the first time this year.

She has convinced her friend Kate Gibson, 40, and cousin Marie Murphy, 28, to run, too.

The three are running on behalf of charity, Disability Sport Events, which puts on sporting events for disabled people.

They are being trained by experienced runner Sean Lawlor, who will be running alongside them in his tenth London Marathon.

Paula said: “I’m nervous and apprehensive. The three of us have been training together and giving each other encouragment.

“Sean is being really nice. I was scared about running with him, but he has been giving us loads of support.”

Having been the one to talk her co-runners into signing up for their first marathon, Paula has been subject to some good-natured ribbing. She said: “They have been cursing me loads, but all in jest.

“We have decided to run together throughout the marathon to encourage each other.”

* To donate to the trio, log on to www.justgiving.com/paula-marie-kate-medusa