MP Sadiq Khan is feeling the nerves as he prepares to take on Ed Balls and a man carrying a fridge in the London Marathon this weekend.

The Tooting MP is stocking up on carbohydrates over the next few days and only going on short runs around the borough to ensure he is fit enough to take on his mammoth task this Sunday.

He has so far raised more than £12,500 despite obliterating his target of £2,600 having only started training at the beginning of February.

Money raised will go towards the Dispossessed Fund, managed by The London Community Foundation, which raises money for charities and community-led groups tackling poverty in London.

Mr Khan said: "For two days I faffed around um-ing and ah-ing trying to find an excuse not to run but I couldn’t refuse - it’s such a good cause. 10k was the longest run I had done in my whole life

"The nerves are starting to come into play. 22 miles was my long run which I did two Sundays ago - then you are supposed to taper off and do less miles to keep your body fit.

"I’m just hoping my body keeps me going until the end of the finish line. The smallest sum [donated] was £1 and the largest is £1,500 so I feel a bit of pressure now.

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'I'm fine'

"The support locally is amazing - people give me high-fives and stop to talk. So many people have done it and have been giving me advice and tips.

"One of the things I found the most difficult is the diet - you’ve got to eat the right amount of carbs and protein.

"From Wednesday you start loading up on carbs. I will probably eat pasta for lunch and dinner from Wednesday onwards. You load up carbs for the second half of the marathon to help you. If you run on just a big breakfast it is not enough - you have to load up in advance."

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On your marks, get set...

Mr Khan admitted one of his main ambitions was to beat his friend Ed Balls and said he would not ‘live it down’ if another man planning to run the marathon while holding a fridge beat him.

He said his family had been really supportive of him but said his wife had been a marathon widow who was looking forward to getting him back.

MPs from chancellor George Osborne and deputy prime minister Nick Clegg have sponsored Mr Khan.

To sponsor Mr Khan visit his fundraising page.


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