THE weeks and months of toil, sweat and painful blisters are about to pay off for the 65-plus runners who are taking part in this Sunday's Cardiff Marathon and Half Marathon to raise money for the Jamie Adamson Memorial Fund.

The energetic - and arguably foolhardy runners - will line up at 9am with the other 7,500 runners on Cardiff's St Mary's Street and await the start gun.

Each will attempt to complete either the 13.1mile or 26.2mile course.

Paul Adamson runs the JAM Fund with his wife Nicola and son Sam, in memory of their five-year-old Jamie, who died of leukaemia.

He said: "I want to say a big thank you to the 65-plus members of the Jamie Adamson running team that have put in so much effort and training for the half marathon and full marathon.

"All sponsorship money is going to purchase a static caravan that will be used to offer children with serious illnesses throughout Wales and the UK, and their families, free respite holidays."

Paul said that in 2005 the charity exceeded its target, and it looks set to do so again in 2006.

Since the JAM Fund was set up some 15 months ago, in excess of £60,000 has been raised.

A staggering £15,000 has been raised by Barry Comprehensive School alone.

Some 30 members of the school's staff are running in Sunday's event, including headteacher David Swallow.

Paul added: "We want to make a difference to children in Wales and in the UK in memory of Jamie."

Paul said he would like to thank Cheeky Monkey Creative, official sponsors of the JAM Fund's 2006 Marathon and Half, who paid for the team's running vests.