Marathon man Tony Barrance, who missed out on setting a new world record by just 85 seconds last year, is trying again today.

Tony, of Ailsa Mews, Borstal, will aim to set the Guinness World Record for the fastest time dribbling a football around a marathon course when he takes part in the Virgin London Marathon.

The dribbling dad had hoped to enter the Book of Records last year, but fell over in the first 10 miles and had to receive five minutes of first aid, causing him to miss out on the record by just over a minute.

The 36-year-old is running in aid of Asthma UK in honour of his two children, Ryan, eight, and Amy, five, who both suffer from the condition and have had hospital treatment as a result.

He is hoping to raise £2,000 during his 15th marathon to help fund research which could help his children when they are older.

Tony said: "I can't describe how terrifying it is to see your child having a severe asthma attack.

"Ryan's asthma means he hasn't always been able to take part in many sports so I wanted to do something for him which would really help to raise awareness of the impact that asthma has on his life."

Tony will have to finish the 26.2-mile race in less than six hours to break the record.

He said: "It was very frustrating to be so close to it, but I am very confident I will do it this year."

In the past Tony has dressed up as female characters including a bunny girl, Snow White, Tinker Bell, an angel, a French maid and a ballerina, but this year he is keeping his costume a secret for the big day.

• To donate to Tony's marathon run visit www.justgiving.com/Tony-Barrance0
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