A FORMER professional South African cricketer is swapping his bat for his running shoes to take part in the London Marathon this weekend.

Ryan Canning, who quit first class cricket to move to Barrowford three years ago, is joining a group of 10 friends to take on the 26.2 mile route to raise money for charity.

Mr Canning, who was born in Cape Town, moved to the UK after meeting his girlfriend Trish and with ambitions to try his hand at county cricket.

He was professional for Nelson Cricket Club and now plays for Ribblesdale Wanderers.

He said doing a marathon was always on his ‘bucket list’ and the opportunity arose to join the Alpha Eagles - a group of ‘non-athletes’ who for the last 10 years have run a number of marathons and half marathons as they make their way through the alphabet from A to Z.

The 33-year-old said it is the first marathon he has done.

He said: “I found out I had a place in October and ever since then it has been hours on the road and training for it.

“I have been doing everything I can to get myself physically and mentally prepared.

“I am an ex-pro cricketer and I’m a personal trainer at Crow Wood so fitness is a major part of my life but I have never done anything as challenging as running a marathon.

“It is definitely out of my comfort zone. With cricket that was mentally and physically challenging but not in the same league as running 26.2miles.

“I am a little bit nervous but also excited.”

Mr Canning, who is hoping to finish in under four hours, said training has been going well and he has embraced the Lancashire weather running in the freezing cold and under bright blue skies.

The group, who did their first run in Amsterdam and have completed races in Bordeaux, Dublin, Jersey and Kent, are hoping to raise £15,000 for Children with Cancer UK.

To donate search 'Alpha Eagles Take on London 2017 on the Virgin Money Giving website.