MARATHON madness is spreading like wildfire across Buckinghamshire as runners prepare for the 21st Flora London Marathon on Sunday.

They will join Olympic gold medal rower Sir Steve Redgrave and his wife Lady Ann, from Marlow Bottom, who have been training abroad to ensure they pass the finishing line in good time.

Managing director Derek Vere is looking forward to his 11th London Marathon.

The 57-year-old boss of Verco Office Furniture in Chapel Lane, High Wycombe, is hoping to smash his last year's record of four hours fifty seven minutes. He already has pledges worth more than £7,000 and hopes to reach a five-figure sum which will go towards Buckinghamshire Association of Youth Clubs.

Management consultant Mark Olsen, 46, from Hazlemere, has raised more than £1,300 for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home as he prepares for his second London Marathon. "This week I am taking it easy after many months of intense training around the roads of Tylers Green," he said.

Other members of the 17-strong Iain Rennie team include John Fifield from Tylers Green, Chris Pritchard from Beaconsfield, Alison Warren and Brian Engles of High Wycombe, Trevor Murphy of Bourne End, Mark Westall of Princes Risborough, Nigel Baker of Aylesbury and Sue Bell from Chinnor.

Keen basketball player Alison Adamson, 35, from Kestrel Close in Downley, is hoping to top the £1,200 she has raised so far in aid of Fight for Sight, a leading charity in the battle against blindness.

"I'm in rest mode now but during my training I have reached 20 miles a day taking in all of the nearby villages," said the mother-of-two,.

Dick Taplin, 52, of Marlow Hill, High Wycombe, will wear the Miscarriage Association's team vest this weekend. He is hoping to raise £2,000 for the national charity.

"One of the things that will keep me going through the 26.2 miles is the knowledge that every pound I raise will help fund the helpline," he said.

Second-time marathon runner Karen Ilott, 44, who runs a boarding cattery in Amersham, aims to complete the marathon in under five hours on behalf of The Blue Cross animal charity.

She will be joined by 26 other Blue Cross runners, including one who will be dressed as their mascot, Barney.

Lexmark International employees, based in Marlow, will be out in force to cheer on 26-year-old colleague Olivia Nichols as she races in aid of Sargent Cancer Care for Children.

Food buyer David Pitron of Nash Place, Penn, is staying true to his New Year's resolution to give up smoking and adopt a healthier lifestyle as he raises money for Health Unlimited, a charity supporting victims of conflict across the globe.

Air conditioning installer John King will be flying to Gran Canaria on Monday after hopefully completing the marathon for the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home charity.

Beky Hughes, 22, of Cameron Road, Chesham is running for Sense, a campaigning charity for deaf and blind people and their families. She hopes to raise £1,000.