Virgin London Marathon – Hard miles and glamorous looks will do the job for Childs

It's hard to look like a million dollars after you've run 26.2 miles, but Amy Childs is aiming to do exactly that when she makes her marathon debut at this Sunday's Virgin London Marathon.

"I'm going to carry some jelly babies, lip gloss and my phone, in case I get lost. Then I'm planning to stop at 25 miles, reapply my lip gloss, look glamorous and smile for the paps as I cross the finish line. Then it's job done," said the 22-year-old.

Childs found fame as an original cast member of the reality TV show The Only Way is Essex before going on to start her own beauty range back in 2011. It's shaping up to be another huge year for the popular star as she launches a new summer clothing range and takes on her biggest challenge yet by running her first marathon for the British Heart Foundation.

She started training for the race in December and has even taken time out from running her own beauty salon to train.

  Amy Childs

 

"I'm so excited to be taking part in this year's London Marathon so it hasn't been too hard to get up to run at 6am," said Childs.

"I'm running for a great charity and that has really motivated me. I want to raise as much money as possible.

"I can't believe how far I've come in four months. I managed to run a half marathon in two hours 20 in training and since I'm not a professional runner I was pleased with that. Even if it takes me 10 hours to get round this Sunday, I'll be so happy to cross the finish line."

Childs admitted she become something of a convert to running since she started training for the marathon, and now wants to encourage other young women to get fit, even launching a fitness DVD: Fit in 30 Days.

"I feel such a buzz when I get home after a run and I want other women to experience that great feeling," she said. "I've been encouraging all the girls who come into the salon to run a marathon because it's such an amazing thing to do. I'd love to think of myself as a role model but I don't like being big-headed."

Some of the other celebrities taking part in this year's event joined Childs in expressing support for the victims of the tragic events at Monday's Boston Marathon. All have pledged to wear black ribbons and observe the period of silence before the start of the race.

The BBC's Mike Bushell, who has run the London Marathon several times, summed up the unique spirit of the race when he said: "The feeling you get from the London crowd is amazing. It's like being part of the biggest team in the world."

Actress Amanda Mealing, who made her debut in 2012, agreed with Bushell.

"The fact that the event is going ahead after what happened in Boston is testament to the spirit of everyone involved with the marathon," she said. "It attracts such a diverse mix of professional athletes and regular people that it really symbolises the belief that you just have to keep going."

Mealing will run to support Breast Cancer Care after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002.

Childs summed up her feelings after watching the events, saying, "Everything that happened in Boston has made me even more determined to run on Sunday."

It's a sentiment shared by many of this year's London Marathon runners as they prepare to show their support and solidarity this Sunday.

 

Source: Virgin London Marathon