THOUSANDS of people will be pounding the streets of the nation’s capital tomorrow morning when they take part in the 34th Virgin London Marathon.

Amongst them will be a number of faces from Dorset, who will be hoping to cross the finish line of the 26.2-mile race.

Some are seasoned runners hoping for a personal best, while others are taking part to raise funds for worthy causes.

Naomi Bennett of Bournemouth, a club runner and coach, hopes to finish in under four hours.

“This will be my 40th marathon and I got a place because my previous marathon times were good for my age.”

Ally Case of Bournemouth, who is running for the National Autistic Society, said competing the London Marathon is one of the items on her bucket list.

Husband and wife team Clare and Barry Julyan from Merley near Wimborne, who both got a place in the ballot, are raising funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust which helps people with blood cancer.

Clare said: “This is definitely the last time, although I said that last year!”

Melanie Campbell who works for Poole Tourism is raising funds for Macmillan Locally, the Macmillan Unit in Christchurch.

“I ran it for them last year too. I lost my mum to lung cancer in 2012 and they cared for her.”