A BUSINESSMAN will be swapping his suit for running shoes this month to compete in one of the largest marathons in the world.Mark Noble, 34, a dispatcher for EDF Energy Networks at Fore Hamlet in Ipswich, is hoping to raise more than £1,000 for the company's charity partner, Mencap, when he dons his trainers for the 26-mile run on Sunday .

A BUSINESSMAN will be swapping his suit for running shoes this month to compete in one of the largest marathons in the world.

Mark Noble, 34, a dispatcher for EDF Energy Networks at Fore Hamlet in Ipswich, is hoping to raise more than £1,000 for the company's charity partner, Mencap, when he dons his trainers for the 26-mile run on Sunday .

He won his place in the marathon by entering a company draw for one of the five Golden Bond places paid for by EDF Energy.

Mark, who lives near Holywells Park in Ipswich hopes to complete the run in under five hours - shaving at least 24 minutes off his time when he last took part in the event in 2004.

He said: “I'm a few years older and a few pounds heavier this time so I'll be happy just to get round.

“My training regime has been a bit more rigorous this time - I've recently completed an 18-mile run and that was fine. Having done it before, I know what to expect and the whole event is a fantastic personal experience while raising money for a worthwhile cause.”