RUNNER Neil Defty will test himself in his first marathon on the streets of New York.

Neil, 25, of Crossgate Moor, Durham, flew to the Big Apple with wife Claire on Wednesday and will join thousands of runners in the run this Sunday.

Neil, a research project team leader at Durham University, has run half-marathons before - he did the Great North Run in just over an hour and a half - but has never gone the full distance.

He is taking part in the event despite suffering an injury.

He said: "I applied on a whim and to my surprise I got in. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I think it is worth it.

"I decided to run for Marie Curie Cancer Care because the partner of a friend of mine died earlier this year. She had care from Marie Curie and it seemed a very worthwhile cause."

Neil said that he was hoping to raise several hundred pounds.

Linda McDonagh, of Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: "What Neil is doing is fantastic. We are pleased that we have a representative from the North-East running for the charity in the marathon. We wish him the best of luck."