Sonia Jones, 37, of Gobowen, said she does not like running and avoids it at all costs – but will run the Chester half marathon this month in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support.

The mother-of-two who works as a trainee pharmacy technician at The Pharmacy @ Caxton in Oswald Road, Oswestry, was persuaded to sign up for the challenge by a friend.

She said: “I think I am mad for doing it. I don’t do running, This is my first event of this kind and probably my last.

“I signed up in January when a friend said she and some colleagues from her work were taking part.

“I am not sure what possessed me. I walk a lot but I hate running.”

The event on May 18 will begin at Chester Racecourse and finish outside the town hall and cathedral.

Mrs Jones will be among 6,000 people taking in the 13 mile challenge.

She added: “We had a training plan but I am not keeping to it, I am doing what I can a couple of times a week. I have managed to run a maximum of about four miles so far.

“I have been running around the lanes where I live where no one can see me – everyone is being supportive but they are laughing at me because they know it is not something I would ever do usually.

“They are saying there should be cake stalls around the course and that is what would make me keep going because I like my food.”

Mrs Jones said she chose to support MacMillan Cancer Support because everybody seems to be affected by cancer these days.

“You never know when you’re going to need the services of MacMillan,” she added.

“When I manage to cross the line it will be a real achievement.”

She has been training for months but she said it is still struggling to get motivated and does not look forward to running.

John Gentle, superintendent pharmacist at The Pharmacy @ Caxton, said the company are supporting Sonia in her challenge.

He said: “We were very surprised when Sonia said she was going to do the Chester half marathon because it is not something we would expect her to do.

“We are all going to sponsor her though and being a pharmacy we can help if she needs any products to keep her going like supports and bandages.”

To sponsor Sonia visit her online fundraising page at http://www.justgiving.com/Sonia-Jones6.