'I'M READY FOR MARATHON BID' Diabetic says illness won't stop her putting best foot forward for charity.

Byline: Jessica Flynn

DIABETIC Tessa Lucas will be putting her best foot forward when she takes part in the Cardiff Half Marathon.

The nursery teacher from Roath Park, Cardiff, will be walking the 13.1-mile course on Sunday, October 18 in the annual event organised by Barnardo's Cymru.

For Tessa this will be the fourth time she has taken on the challenge after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

"I wanted to take the opportunity to get out and fundraise as I have diabetes," said the 53-year-old.

"Being diagnosed with diabetes was a bit of a surprise at the time. I had started doing a new intensive stretching exercise video and I lost a stone and a half. My colleagues thought it was the video but a month later I lost another stone and I thought 'This can't be right'.

"I also had a completely unquenchable thirst. I went to my doctor and I was diagnosed with diabetes. "I had to be totally aware of my diet and I increased the exercise I was doing."

Tessa was diagnosed with the condition in 1991 and has managed it successfully by keeping active and eating healthily.

"I go to the gym three times a week anyway and a few months before a friend and I start walking around Roath Park lake as many times as we can," she said.

"I want to complete it in about three hours and 50 minutes."

Diabetes UK is asking people to put their running or walking shoes on for the Cardiff Half Marathon to help raise money for the charity.

One person who is joining Tessa is Dan Stevens, who lives in Cardiff Bay.

Like Tessa, Dan also has Type 1 diabetes but it will be the first time he has tackled a half marathon.

"I have never done long distance running before," said the 28-year-old IT worker, who was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 15.

"When you're training with diabetes, your control gets better. I have lowered my insulin dose and I feel fitter."

Dai Williams, national director for Diabetes UK Cymru, said: "More than 12,500 people have diabetes in Cardiff alone and 2,500 more people have the condition but don't realise it.

"People like Tessa and Dan are raising vital funds for research into the condition and to support people with diabetes and their families. " To run for the charity, or find out other ways of raising money for Diabetes UK Cymru, call 029 2066 8276 or e-mail [e-mail] HOW TO GET INVOLVED!

To run in the Cardiff Half Marathon entry is pounds 24 for affiliated club members or pounds 26 for non-members. Anyone aged 17 and over on the day of the race can take part.

With just over two months to go there is still plenty of time to get in training for the event and build up your fitness levels. The Cardiff Half Marathon is organised by Barnardo's but runners can choose to run for any charity.

To find out more visit the website at www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk or call 0845 3084001.

CAPTION(S):

Nineteen-year-old Ellie Collins, a student at Cardiff University, is running the half marathon with her lecturer dad Mike Tessa Lucas, from Roath Park, Cardiff, has Type 1 diabetes and will be walking the Cardiff Half Marathon for Diabetes UK PICTURE: Richard Swingle [umlaut]