AN OSWESTRY woman preparing to run her eighth London Marathon this year is one of many to have her training put on hold by the coronavirus outbreak.

Julie Davies has been training for her eighth, and final, marathon run this year in aid of Severn Hospice, but the event was postponed earlier this month.

It is now set to take place in October, but training for those signed up to the event could become difficult with tighter social restrictions implemented by the government on Monday.

Despite the date being pushed back, Julie said she is determined to train as and when she can to prepare for the event once again.

"I’ll definitely be doing it in October," she said.

“It’s understandable that it’s been pushed back under the current circumstances.

“I did Shrewsbury 10k a few weeks back, and that was the last race for now, everything else has been cancelled or postponed.

“It was the quickest I’ve done a 10k in the last six years, and my training has been going really well, so obviously it is quite frustrating.

"I run quite a lot on my own when I’m training, but I do run with a club once a week which won’t be happening now.

"I’m quite used to running by myself so the social restrictions won’t be too much of a problem training-wise.

"At the moment being allowed to continue running once a day is fine, but if further restrictions come in, I’m not sure what that will mean for people training for the events later in the year."

Julie has completed the marathon several times in aid of the hospice, and has done so in memory of her dad, who was cared for there.

So far this time round, she has raised more than £4,500, and may be able to raise even more with more time to go until the event.

She added: “I’ve raised more than £4,500 which is great, and hopefully I’m able to fundraise a little more before the rescheduled marathon in October.

“Obviously it could be difficult because people are having to be careful with their money under the current circumstances.”

The London Marathon is now expected to take place Sunday, October 4.

To donate to Julie's fundraising efforts, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JulieDaviestherunninghairdresser