A PAIR of plucky publicans are taking on the New York Marathon later this year and are urging other people to pull their trainers on too.

Hannah Walter and Clive Mansell, licensees of The Bell Inn in St Cross, are staging a different kind of half marathon in Winchester in preparation for their stateside slog and want Wintonians to get involved.

The Winchester marathon will be more of a leisurely pursuit as it will invite drinkers to walk between the St Cross pub at the Fulflood Arms, which they also run.

The event, on Saturday, August 16, will see participants walk back and forth along the route seven times, making the total distance slightly less than a half marathon.

Around 20 willing participants have already signed up for the day, which will also feature a barbecue at the end.

There will also be other incentives such as free drinks at the pubs and anyone who wants to take part can register by dropping into the Bell Inn or the Fulflood Arms.

Miss Walter and Mr Mansell, who are also licensees for Winchester Rugby Football Club, will then run the New York marathon on Sunday, November 2. It will be Miss Walter's third marathon and Mr Mansell's seventh.

The pair have come up with an unusual way of getting sponsorship for the New York Marathon. They will sell sponsorship raffle tickets for £5 and generous sponsors will be able to win one of 100 prizes for their money, including holidays, hotel breaks and meals out.

Both the Winchester run and their challenge across the Atlantic will be in aid of the Alzheimer's Society.