A pair of runners will clock up their 100th marathon between them when they take on the London marathon.

Mike Ingram from Radlett and Dave Lock from Woodford Green will celebrate their milestones later this month with the 26.2 mile run on the capital's streets in the aid of the Samaritans.

Mr Ingram, 60, has run marathons all over the world, in cities such as New York, Tel Aviv, and Berlin.

He said: “The 2018 London Marathon will see me run my 50th marathon – 21 years after running my first. To mark that milestone I will be joined, in that wonderful atmospheric race, by my son, son-in law and nephew, all running together as a family.”

56-year-old Dave Lock is usually easy to spot as he tends to wear a green Samaritans telephone outfit while running the London Marathon.

This year will be his 20th marathon in the costume, but this year it will be a little heavier but he is hoping it will not affect him.

He said: “I had my costume refilled as the foam had gone all saggy, so it’s now more stable.” Dave said. “Before, the receiver on the phone was pushing my head down, so I had to run like an ostrich by pushing my head forward. I can go another 20 years now running in it. It’s 2-3 kilos heavier so I have had to sacrifice comfort for weight gain.”

Mr Lock added: “It might be my 20th marathon in London, but I still love taking part as much as the first time I ran. It always feels like the whole of London is cheering you on.”

The duo will join 72 other runners running for the Samaritans, a charity made up of more than 20,000 trained volunteers that talk to people who may be struggling to cope.

Emma Sutehall, events fundraising manager at Samaritans said: “Good luck to Dave and Mike and all our runners that are clocking up the miles in preparation for race day. Special shout out to Dave who has run London for Samaritans for the past 20 years. It’s a special marathon for him, but equally special for us. We can’t wait to see the running phone in action again.”

To donate to the pair's fundraising campaign visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-lock-20 and www.justgiving.com/fundraising/50kfor50