Chris Tanner likes a challenge. And it’s a good job he does because he’s running in the London Marathon in April.

Okay, so he’s not the only one – there will be thousands taking part – but there won’t be too many in the race who, at this stage of their preparations, haven’t even run a half marathon, let alone a marathon.

Tanner, 35, should at least have ticked the box marked ‘half marathon’ before the big day in the capital on Sunday 22nd April because he is due to run the Reading Half on Sunday 18th March.

“I’ve done a few Fairford 10K’s,” chuckled Tanner, “but it’s a fairly steep ascent from the Reading Half to the London Marathon. It’s certainly a big challenge!”

Fortunately Tanner, who is Website and Social Media manager at Marlborough College, has kept himself active over the years.

“I’m in my 18th season with Fairford Rugby Club,” said Tanner, who was good enough to play for Gloucestershire under-20s back in the day. “I started off as prop but these days I usually play in the second row or back row. I’ll play anywhere in the pack, I enjoy it.”

And while a game of rugby, even at Gloucester Three level, gets the legs pumping, on its own it’s not enough to prepare for a marathon.

So how is the training going?

“It’s going well but there’s still a long way to go,” he admitted. “One of the big challenges is to keep your pace down on training runs and not try to run too fast. It’s so important to pace yourself.”

He has been out training with his sister Suzanne, who has run a number of half marathons, and says he is enjoying the running enough to want to continue with it after the London Marathon.

So what time is he looking for on 22nd April?

“I’d like to finish on the Sunday some time,” he laughed. “But anything between four-and-a-half and five hours would be a good time. I’m not going to push myself. Research shows that people feel good at the start of the race and a lot of them are running on adrenalin. They go off fast but then they have a real struggle later in the race.”

Tanner, who is also press officer for Fairford Town Football Club, has every reason to make sure he crosses the finish line because of the charity he is supporting, the Movember Foundation – a global charity committed to men living happier, healthier and longer lives – is very close to his heart.

His dad Mike, 71, was diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple of years ago. Thankfully he is fully recovered now but his son admitted: “It was very tough for a while.”

Mike Tanner, who is president of Fairford Town Football Club, will be among the thousands lining the streets of London on 22nd April.

“I’m very proud of him and very pleased that he’s doing it for such a good cause,” he said. “It’s a huge commitment and good luck to him.”

Tanner senior has been involved with the town’s football club for the past 45 years. “I’ve been chairman, committee member, chief bottle washer, toilet cleaner and kit washer,” said the current president.

But one thing he’s never done is run a marathon.

“No way,” he laughed. “I think the furthest I’ve ever run is a quarter of a mile when I was at school!”

His son won’t have broken sweat by that stage on the big day, of course, and although it may be difficult for dad to spot him when he’s running round the capital, there is one way he may be able to pick him out.

“I’ll be running round with a fairly decent moustache,” he said. “I’ve been supporting Movember for the past 10 years but I’ll be sporting one in April this year as well.”

And while all eyes are on the big day, Tanner also has eyes on another big date – a charity fundraiser at Fairford Town Football Club featuring former top sportsmen Mark Alleyne, Nick Wood and Paul Bodin.

It takes place on Friday 16th March and Tanner added: “It should be a great evening. It will be a Q&A with three people who have achieved an awful lot in sport.”

Tickets are priced at £20, including food. To book, call 07815 579784.