DOMINIC Nasmyth-Miller is in training today so he can take his place among nearly 40,000 runners in this year's Paris marathon.By tackling the 42 kilometres around the French capital on Sunday, April 4, the 36-year-old will be supporting a Suffolk based charity.

DOMINIC Nasmyth-Miller is in training today so he can take his place among nearly 40,000 runners in this year's Paris marathon.

By tackling the 42 kilometres around the French capital on Sunday, April 4, the 36-year-old will be supporting a Suffolk based charity.

"I could have accepted a place in the London Marathon, if I agreed to run for a national charity," said Dominic, a community team manager with Suffolk County Council.

"But I chose to look for a marathon further afield to enable me to run for Rwanda Direct, a charity with which I had become associated through my friendship with the Rev Geoff Price."

Geoff, the rector of St Helen's in Ipswich, who with his wife Hope worked in the Central African country for a number of years as missionaries, set up Rwanda Direct in 2002.

It helps many people coping with the aftermath of the 1994 atrocities to retain their independence.

This is Dominic's first marathon. "Although training has been a painful challenge, I hope to clock a respectable time of about 4 and a half hours," he said.

The Ipswich-based runner already runs 20 miles most weekends and trains after work through the week.

"The sponsorship I've received so far from my work colleagues at social services and members of the congregations in Ipswich has been phenomenal. However I'm still looking for more support before the race," he said.

N Let us know if you are taking part in one of the big marathons this year. Telephone The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324789.