Liz Stevens, who started out as a sprinter when she was 13, had done only one marathon before she ran the Flora London Marathon in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief this year, writes Jon Murray.

But, having managed the first half of her challenge, she is now confident of completing the second half by finishing Sunday's New York City Marathon, which attracts 35,000 runners from all over the world.

Liz, assistant office manager at Henmans solicitors in Oxford, is committed to raising 3,500 for Macmillan, which she has supported for ten years.

"My grandmother died of cancer when I was 17, so I have always supported Macmillan," she said. "I wanted to do something a bit unusual for the millennium, and I thought I would run two marathons.

"In the London Marathon, there were a lot of people, so I was disappointed with my time, but I think New York will be better. I have never been to New York, so I am doubly excited. "It has been difficult to balance the training with work, where things are quite busy, but my employers have been good to me."

Liz's boss is Tim Henman's father, Tony, who said: "We are all extremely proud of Liz and are delighted to support her marathon efforts, especially for such a good cause."

She is one of 63 people to be running in New York for Macmillan.

"The New York City Marathon is very demanding in many respects," she said before preparing to fly out tomorrow. "It is an elite road race rather than the wonderful carnival that the London Marathon has become."

After this year's challenge, Liz is hoping to run more competitively at shorter distances and on the track. She is being sponsored for the New York Marathon and for future events by Mizuno, who are supplying her running kit and training shoes.

Sean Brown, from Cowley, will also be hoping to complete the double when he takes part in Sunday's New York race, which starts near the Statue of Liberty.

Brown, unattached to any club, ran this year's London Marathon in 5hrs 2mins 27 secs. He recently completed the Stroud Half Marathon.

He hopes to raise 1,500 for Get Kids Going! which provides motorised wheelchairs for disabled children and young people.

Oxford Brookes University student Rebecca Garrod is also competing in the New York Marathon and supporting the same charity.