Four female runners hope to raise thousands of pounds for a cancer charity by completing their first marathon.
Fitness enthusiasts Karen Schofield, Joanne Walton, Rachel Armitage and Rianna Armitage - members of the Hoylandswaine Hill Runners - will tackle the Greater Manchester Marathon at the end of April.
The women have competed in shorter races, including half-marathons and 10km runs, and decided to enter the marathon with landmark birthdays for Karen, who turns 50, and Joanne, who will be 40, coming up this year.
Rianna, 33, said training started on Monday.
"At the moment we are all very excited, even more nervous, but looking forward to what the next four months have in store," she said.
"We all have jobs, children and busy lives so it's going to be a big challenge."
The group, which has a total of six runners, was set up on the weekend of the royal wedding in April 2011 as the women did not feel safe jogging alone.
Members run between four and five miles twice a week in the evenings and also complete longer routes of about ten miles at the weekend.
They hope to raise £2,500, with all proceeds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Donations can be made at justgiving.com/hoylandswainehillrunners
© 2013 Barnsley Chronicle Ltd