IT IS the UK’s most iconic race.

Tens of thousands of people are preparing to lace up their running shoes for a challenge of a lifetime and run through some of the country’s best known landmarks as millions watch on TV or from the streets.

A record 38,262 people have signed up for the Virgin Money London Marathon this weekend including celebrities such as Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans, Natalie Dormer, better known as Margaery Tyrell of Game of Thrones and ITV’s Robert ‘Judge’ Rinder who hosts a courtroom-style TV show But joining the rich and the famous on Sunday are dozens of people from Hampshire.

And thousands more will be taking part in the ABP Southampton Half Marathon on the same day.

Among the county’s running heroes taking part in the mammoth London event are Heidi Rehman and Tara Russell who are taking part to raise funds for the Wessex Haven in Titchfield ahead of a glamorous masquerade ball next month.

And Hampshire’s racing reverend Iain McFarlane, vicar of St Peter’s Church in Boyatt Wood will be running to raise cash for The Children’s Society.

He has already raised more than £2,000 for the cause which will go towards supporting vulnerable children.

The 45-year-old from Eastleigh said: “Road running has been tough – and boring at times!

"But it’s not about my own achievement, it’s about the impact I can have on vulnerable lives.”

The event will also be a first for West End dad-of-two Karl Swanborough, 32, a Daily Echo field sales executive, who is raising cash for Children with Cancer UK by completing his first full marathon.

Meanwhile, Fareham dad-of-two Robert Corry is running the 26.2 miles through the capital to raise cash for Catholic charity CAFOD which helps some of the world’s poorest communities.

The 52-year-old mechanical engineer said: “It can be difficult to get out of bed early in the morning to fit in the next training session or to complete a 20-mile training run, but then I think about the people CAFOD supports, and I ask myself how would I cope if my house was destroyed or if I lost my family in the war.”

And Rachel Mann of Tadley, a personal trainer, is running the marathon to help mums who have a premature or sick baby by raising cash for Bliss.

Forty-five-year-old James Gordon of Shirley, a manager at a software company, will be taking part in the challenge to raise cash for the NSPCC.