Two local women will be pounding the mean streets of the big apple later this year when they take part in the New York marathon.

Workmates Gill Linyard and Karen Clarke will join 50,000 other runners on Sunday, November 1, for the gruelling 26-mile run around the city that never sleeps. And Karen and Gill - who both work for Magnet - have already started spreading the news to colleagues who are sponsoring them.

The Royd Ings Lane company has stumped up the cash for the trip, and both Gill and Karen are determined to raise more than £1,500 for the Macmillan cancer relief charity.

Gill, 51, who lives in Riddlesden and works in the post room, says: "We have both done the London marathon before and we tried to do it this year, but our application didn't get through. So we thought about trying something different. One of our friends had run the New York marathon and said the atmosphere was fantastic, so we decided to give it a go.

"It is the first time either of us have been to New York so we are both getting excited."

Gill will be cheered on by her niece Beverley who will make the short journey over from her home in New Jersey.

Karen, 33, adds: "It will be exciting for both of us because we will be seeing so many of New York's famous sights on the run itself. We will be in New York for four days so we plan to recuperate after the race with plenty of shopping."

The friends have already started training for the big day, and have been ably assisted by Karen's daughters - Jenny, 12, and Lucy, ten - who have been cycling alongside the two runners.

Staff at Magnet have already raised £4,300 for Macmillan, and anyone interested in sponsoring Karen or Gill can contact them on 661133.

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