A RETIRED university lecturer running the Cardiff Half Marathon this month is donating her sponsorship to the town's Pavilion Project.

Suzanne Hazell will take on the 13-mile challenge, hoping to raise funds for the proposed £3 million refurbishment - which already has Vale of Glamorgan Council and Heritage Lottery support.

She and her husband Tony, who recently finished his term as High Sheriff of South Glamorgan, have been strong supporters of the Washington Gallery for some time, last year sponsoring a sustainability lunch there for the community.

The Cardiff Half Marathon, sponsored by Lloyds TSB, starts at 9am on Sunday, October 17, in Cardiff Bay, and will cross Pont y Werin Bridge before returning to the start in Lloyd George Avenue.

Suzanne began running when a change in her academic role gave her less chance to exercise. Fifteen years later she is about to embark on her 15th half marathon, having also completed the London Marathon. She trains two or three times a week, running from five miles each time and increasing to 13.1miles leading up to the day of the run.

Suzanne has raised funds for a number of charities at this and also the Great North Run, and is hopeful the money she raises in Cardiff will give the Pavilion campaign a public profile at the run.

Members of Penarth Arts and Crafts Ltd, the trust which manages the Washington Gallery, are leading the bid to refurbish and reopen the 1929 ferro-concrete Pavilion which has a Grade 2 listing.

Both interior and exterior need restoration and studies that have been going on for the last four years prove this would be a popular venue, not only for the local community but also for visitors to South Wales.

To sponsor the run, drop in to the Washington Gallery to sign up – details are also on the website www.penarthpavilion.co.uk