AFTER months of training, thousands of runners will be gearing themselves up for the London Marathon.

And after national reports suggest this year could be the hottest on record, we thought our local runners deserve all the support they can get.

Here's the runners from St Helens we will be cheering on this year and why you should too:

(We've added more runners to the gallery at the top of this story. Just click on 'Show Caption' if you're viewing this on a mobile phone.)

Blind runner Mark Rogerson, 35, and guide runner Sarah Molyneux, 34, and both from St Helens, are running for RNIB.

Mark received a lot of support from the charity when he lost his sight in 2013. 

Donate here: justgiving.com/markandsarah2018

St Helens Star:

Vicky Dyas, 42 and from Parr, is taking part for the challenge and to raise money for the Alzheimer’s society. 

Donate here: justgiving.com/fundraising/vicky-dyas1

St Helens Star:

Aidan Barchard is running for the Royal British Legion and has so far raised more than £2,000.

Donate by clicking here. 

St Helens Star:

Cath Ryder is 37 and running her first marathon for Macmillan. 

She said: "I’m running for Macmillan for my dad who has defeated cancer three times and for my partner Andy who lost his mum to breast cancer.

"I started running 13 months ago to lose weight alongside Slimming World and entered the marathon never believing I would get in!"

Donate here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CathRyder

St Helens Star:

Julie Barton, 37 and from Sutton, is running for MNDA as part of her year of challenges. 

Friend Catherine Hankin said: "Julie lost her dad to MND 10 years ago and in January 2017 set out to complete some challenges in his memory and to raise awareness of MND.

"The VLM will be her 20th and final challenge and so far she has raised nearly £7000.

"She inspires everyone around her everyday by helping others achieve their own goals.

"Her running group Julie's Joggers will be supporting her in London and also back at home.

"We are all so proud and know she will be brilliant."

Donate here: justgiving.com/fundraising/julie-barton7

St Helens Star: