MUM-OF-THREE Karen Croad is running her first London Marathon at the age of 49.
She is cramming in her training while juggling a job at Dorset County Hospital with shifts at Weymouth's Snipegate Boarding Kennels.
Karen's work with dogs has inspired her to run the marathon in aid of Dogs for the Disabled - a charity training assistance dogs for disabled adults and children.
She said: "Next to sport, dogs are my passion and having seen how invaluable these dogs are, I have decided to run for them.
"In the current climate where dogs receive a bad press, it is refreshing to see just what these brilliant dogs can do."
Karen, of Southill, Weymouth, is now building up her distances with the Weymouth St Paul's Harriers and running companion Angela White.
She said: "This year I'm determined to achieve this lifetime ambition, although you'd think I'd know better at my age!"
Karen's sponsorship fund can be contributed to at justgiving.com/karencroad or by calling 01305 771702.
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