Orkney runners make final preparations ahead of London Marathon

No fewer than seven Orkney runners are set to join more than 39,000 others on the London Marathon start line tomorrow morning.

Some are running for charities close to their hearts, while others have their own personal goals they seek to achieve in the 37th marathon, which is set to be the biggest yet.

Toeing the start line of the world-famous event are Gary Tait, Tim Ross, Sharon Gray, David Grant, Hannah Wick, John Tierney and Graham Harcus.

For Gary, Sharon, Hannah and John, it is their first experience of the gruelling 26.2-mile around the streets of central London, while Graham Harcus, from Finstown, will compete in his tenth London Marathon, 33 years after completing his first.

Dounby resident David and Tim, from Rendall, are competing in their second London Marathons.

The event will be broadcast live on BBC television, with the main event starting at 10am.