More than 30,000 are expected to take on the London Marathon this Sunday, helping to raise millions of pounds for good causes.

Yet again, Basingstoke residents will be doing their bit. Here we focus on three local runners hoping to complete the 26.2mile course.

Hazel Eastman

Basingstoke Gazette:

A POPLEY slimmer will take part in this year’s London Marathon to pull in the pounds for a good cause.

Hazel Eastman, who is a Slimming World consultant for Popley, will take on the gruelling challenge of running the 26.2-mile London course on Sunday as part of the group’s 12-member team.

The 35-year-old mother-of-two will be running to raise money for the group’s charity SMILE, which is supporting Cancer Research UK.

Hazel, of Malta Close, Popley, has lost 3st 2lbs since she first joined Slimming World in May 2010 and through her weight loss journey has developed a love of running.

Before her weight loss, Hazel weighed 14st 11lbs.

As a group, the 12 runners are hoping to raise £12,000.

Hazel told The Gazette: “I thought my husband was the runner but in that year (2010), I was challenged by a member to do the Basingstoke Half Marathon so I gave it a go. She dropped out, I did it and I loved it.

“The reason I love running is because it doesn’t cost money. I put my headphones on and it is my time and that is what I love about it.”

The mother-of-two has admitted that training through the winter has been “tough” but is relishing the gruelling challenge.

Hazel added: “I am really looking forward to it, and I am really looking forward to the atmosphere and members are going to bring their children and cheer me on.

“I have been speaking to people who have run it the last couple of years and I am assuming it is going to take four hours and 15 minutes and I would be happy with that.

"I will have people shouting and egging me on and the adrenaline and atmosphere takes over to a point. I will get to 10 to 15 miles and not realise I have done it.”

To donate to the appeal, visit justgiving.com/-swteam2015.

Darren Croll

Basingstoke Gazette:

A BASINGSTOKE man who suffers from a heart defect will test his limits when he takes part in the London Marathon.

Darren Croll was diagnosed with sinus arrhythmia during training to become a firefighter in 2005.

He passed all the tests but the condition was diagnosed during a medical examination, and prevented him from pursuing his dream job.

The 32-year-old, who is a BT Open Reach engineer, said: “It means I breathe in lots of air but I don't breathe out the same amount so I have air trapped in my body.”

Darren has to wear a heart monitor because the condition can mean his heart beats abnormally.

The father-of-one, whose wife is expecting their second child, is hoping to beat his personal best for a marathon in the race on Sunday.

Darren, who is a member of Chineham Park Running Club, said: “I hope to do it in three hours and 15 minutes. I have done a lot of training.”

He will raise money for the Rotary Club of Basingstoke and Deane, and said: “My father-in-law is one of the members there.

“He knew I had a guaranteed place in the London Marathon so he asked me if I wanted to run for them as a charity because they have never had someone in the marathon.”

The charity supports various causes, including Help for Heroes.

Darren will be cheered on by his family and friends at the event, and added: “This London Marathon will be my fifth go at it. I started running in 2006. I had a bad break up and I decided to get into running.”

To sponsor Darren visit his fundraising page mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/darrencroll27.

Lee Marston

Basingstoke Gazette:

A FORMER RAF helicopter pilot from north Hampshire will be putting his best foot forward for a good cause at this year's London Marathon.

Lee Marston from Old Basing will be hoping he can raise £1,000 for children’s charity WellChild when he takes part in this year's 26.2-mile race.

But although this is the first time the dad-of-two of is taking part in the event, it’s not the first time he’s beeninvolved in a gruelling challenge.

In 2004 he took part in the punishing Marathon des Sables which comprises of seven marathons in seven days in the Sahara desert.

He also took part in an ultramarathon of 40 miles in the Pyrenees.

Now he is looking forward to the race on Sunday but the 40-year-old fears that his years of endurance may be slowly creeping up on him.

He said: “I’ve got a bit of a knee injury but it’s not going to stop me. I think it’s due to old age.

“This marathon is just a standard marathon so it should be a lot quicker than the other ones.”

Lee was based at RAF Odiham before he flew Chinooks in Afghanistan and served in the war-torn country on eight occasions.

He had flown search and rescue Sea King helicopters before that.

Since he was discharged from the service he now works for Speedy, a tools, equipment and plant hire services company.

He will be running for the firm’s chosen charity WellChild which supports hundreds of seriously ill children throughout the UK.

Providing support in a variety of ways, the charity provides a team of nurses who work with families to ensure that children with complex care needs can leave hospital and return home.

Lee said: “There are hundreds of thousands of children in the UK living with long-standing illness or disability.

“By running the London Marathon this year in aid of WellChild, I hope to help the charity to improve the lives of as many sick children as possible.”

To sponsor Lee visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search using Lee’s name.