So you want to complete a marathon? Here's your chance. We will help you every step of the way.

Clive Gillman ran his first Marathon on the Isle of Wight in 1972. Then, after a nine-year break concentrating on other racing distances, he returned to the 26.2-mile discipline.

He has now completed a total of 17 Marathons including races in London, Torbay and Dublin.

Now he is about to share his experience with runners planning to enter our marathon.

Today he sets the scene for a regular training schedule he will be writing for us.

Clive and his wife Stephanie saw in the Millennium by running the Rome Marathon together on January 1, 2000.

Clive, who is 53 and lives in Paignton, is an official of South Devon Athletic Club and a qualified marathon coach.

His personal best time for the distance is 3h 09m, set in London in 1997.

But you have got to want to do it, really want to do it.

The marathon is a very unforgiving event. Be fair to it and it'll be fair to you.

So we need to gradually adapt the body and prepare it for the event, in our target time.

Yes, there are times when it will hurt. You'll be tired and irritable. Probably become boring and self-centred. Still want to do it?

OK - some facts.

Steady jogging at 10 minutes per mile will produce a four-hour 22?minutes marathon time. A good walking pace of 15 minutes per mile will produce a marathon in six hours 35 min.

Walking slowly at 20 minutes per mile waving to the crowd will get you home in eight hours 40 mins.

Add a diving suit - five days, eight-and-a-half hours...

First timers could be split into a number of categories.

There are those who already exercise. They may play football, squash or tennis but do not have a regular running programme.

The improvers already jog or run for fitness once or twice a week.

The active runners already run three or four times a week. compete in the odd 10k, off road, or even Half Marathon and want to have a go.

Before we start, marathon running has a health warning. If you have any history of serious illness consult your doctor.

Consult your partner. Talk about it. Explain it will be time consuming. You'll need their support.

Marathon running statistically can cause separation and divorce.

What to wear? A good pair of trainers is essential. If you are buying new, go to a sports store, tell them you are going to run a Marathon and ask for advice.

Socks become a personal preference. Some like thick, some like thin.

Like shoes they must fit. Always wear a clean pair.

Shorts may be loose or Lycra, you need a t-shirt or running vest and, ladies, a comfortable bra giving good support.

When to train? It will have to fit in with your lifestyle in the morning, afternoon or evening.

Ideally you don't eat for at least two hours before, though a glass of water 10 to 15 minutes before is good practice. More about diet later on.

Where to train? From home to home, the local park or the seafront as long as you don't finish on a hard uphill. Plan your route and tell someone where you are going or leave a note.

This is pure safety. They'll know where to look.

A training programme is a gradual adaptation of the body to prepare it to do the event at your best ability.

Hard work plus rest equals success. Hard work minus rest equals injury