Meet the Eight who are going to generate Marathon funds for Racing Welfare

Sheikh Fahad and his racing advisor David Redvers were joined on The Mall by the six racehorse trainers who will form the eight-strong team that is running to raise money for Racing Welfare, the charity that gives support to workers in need from the racing and breeding industries. All eight have endured some pain and hardship in preparing for the test and David Redvers' marathon preparation will include a long-haul flight from Australia landing just two days before joining the line-up.

At the London gathering it was noticeable some trainers were clearly leaner than others and leading bookmakers Ladbrokes have updated their book on who among the six trainers will be first across the line.

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "The betting suggests there's very little to pick between the market leaders. Only a Richard Hannon triumph would be classed as a genuine shock as we have yet to lay a copper coin on him. Another win for the in-form Andrew Balding would be the worst result as his backers have been out in force already."

Ladbrokes bet 3/1 Andrew Balding, Olly Stevens 7/2 Charlie Hills, 5/1 Robert Cowell, David Simcock, 12/1 Richard Hannon.

To sponsor the Qatar Eight as a team or individuals go to virginmoneygiving.com and type in the name of a runner (http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Qatarracingteam)

Asked for the latest on their training and preparation for the Virgin Money London Marathon, the following quotes were gleaned:

Sheikh Fahad said: "I'm doing it, but on a lot of pain killers. Every specialist in the World has told me running is not for me, but for Racing Welfare I'm prepared to give it a try. I've been running in Hyde Park, and when I see others doing the same I get the bit between my teeth. I recently ran 21km in three hours, and felt great, but my feet suffered. I want to give it my best shot - put it this way, I won't be looking at the sights."

David Redvers said: "I've run the London Marathon twice, and have a best time of 3hrs 10mins, so my goal is to try and get inside that. I have also run the Kenyan Marathon, where the locals go off like stink and then get tired. From that I learned the virtue of running on through beaten horses."

Richard Hannon Jr said: "My preparation has included running the Silverstone half marathon. In the final mile I was overtaken by Daffy Duck, complete with a giant pair of webbed feet, and the Wolverhampton two-man bobsleigh team, carrying a bobsleigh. Despite that I'm proud to say I completed the course in just over three hours. If I can complete the full marathon in seven hours I will be happy."

Charlie Hills said: "I've watched the event on TV and thought it would be fun to enter. The training has gone well, and after doing a half marathon recently I'm now just winding down towards the big day. I've had a few niggling injuries, but Oaksey House [the Lambourn-based rehabilitation centre for racing's workforce] has been helpful in keeping me sound."

Robert Cowell said: "I ran 20 miles recently, and when I stopped I could hardly walk, yet I felt I could keep running. In training I tend to run on my own, otherwise I get too competitive. I've lost a fair bit of weight by drinking slimline champagne."

Andrew Balding said: "I ran the Reading half marathon in 2hrs 5mins, which I was quite pleased about. I'm comfortable up to 13 miles - it's the next 13 miles that worries me."

David Simcock said: "I've stopped smoking after 10 o'clock each morning, but I pile them in before that, and I've lost over a stone in weight. I've been training around the streets of Newmarket, usually doing five-mile runs. I'll be happy to run under five hours in London - it's one for the bucket list."

Olly Stevens said: "I've been doing half marathons in two hours. I tend to do a half marathon on my own each weekend, and during the week I fit in whatever running I can manage. I'd love to finish the London Marathon because it's something I've watched and admired many times on TV. I feel quite humbled to think I've got a chance to take part, but 26 miles is quite daunting."