A COUPLE from Penarth will take on the London Marathon for charity - despite one of them having no running experience at all.

When Chrysti Thompson fulfilled a lifetime ambition by signing up for the London Marathon, her husband Leighton also decided his first race would be the country’s most iconic running event.

“I don’t mess around,” he joked.

The couple are running on April 28 for children’s charity Barnardo’s.

They have trained together since autumn and Chrysti, a runner all her adult life, is annoyed Leighton is outpacing her.

“He’s always been fit and he has taken to running really well. He finds it much easier than me, although he has promised to slow down on the day so we can run the course together!” she said.

The couple’s Dachshund, Chip, is also training, joining on shorter runs.

“We haven’t gone further than three miles with him as he has such short legs but he loves it,” said Mrs Thompson, 31, as an estate agent.

Mrs Thompson has a long history of running and ran the Cardiff Half in 2013. “Competing in the London Marathon is a real bucket list thing for me. I watch it on the television every year and get really emotional, I will probably cry all around the course!

“I used to live in London and love the city so I’m really looking forward to enjoying what will be a very special atmosphere,” said Mrs Thompson.

Leighton Thompson, 30, who runs his own property maintenance firm, said: “Once I knew Chrysti was running for Barnardo’s I couldn’t let her have all the fun.

“She is so self-motivated and I thought it was a good opportunity to tag along. As time has gone on I think she’s been grateful to have me there too as the hardest thing is going out in the rain and wind to train and we’ve been able to motivate each other.”

Sarah Crawley, Director of Barnardo’s Cymru, said: “We are so grateful to Chrysti and Leighton for taking on this challenge for Barnardo’s. The money they raise will help make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable children, young people and families we support through our services.”

Barnardo’s Cymru works with more than 8,000 young people and families in 94 local community projects across Wales. This includes work with children affected by poverty, homelessness, disability, bereavement and abuse.