Office Manager Sarah Taylor woke up one morning and decided to get fit - now she’s preparing for one of the most daunting challenges of her life, running her first marathon.

Sarah works for TechConsult UK Ltd, which is based at The Wilton Centre near Redcar, Teesside, and provides skilled men and women for companies operating within the offshore, fabrication and maintenance, process, shipbuilding, and civil engineering industries.

The 34-year-old, who will compete in the Edinburgh Marathon on May 27, said: “I woke up one morning after Christmas three years ago and decided that I had to get fit and I have been running ever since.”

“I have done a few half marathons but this will be my first marathon. The most I have run in training is eighteen miles so I hope I can do it.”

Sarah will be running the event to raise funds for the Teesside charity Daisy Chain, which supports children and their families who are living with autism.

She said: “I felt that if I was going to run this long distance I ought to use the experience to raise money for a charity. Someone mentioned the terrific work that Daisy Chain does and I decided to support it. It will keep me going when the going gets hard.”

 It’s a healthy office at TechConsult UK because Managing Director Steve Guest is a keen runner who took part in the gruelling Coniston 14 road race in the Lake District on March 31, and follows that by running the daunting Hanging Stones Leap race across the North York Moors in August.

 Steve said: “We have always had a strong focus on health and fitness in the office and running is one of the popular pastimes that we enjoy.”

 Sarah Said: “ There is still time to sponsor me towards this worthwhile cause. Anyone interestied in making a pledge can do so by visiting my justgiving page at http://www.justgiving.com/Sarah-Taylor42.”