COMPETING in November’s New York Marathon will be EWS systems analyst Shabana Ghani, who took up running six years ago to help beat a painful back condition.

Shabana, 32, joined Rother-ham Harriers running club at the beginning of the year and after running the Sheffield Half Marathon in April is training hard for the gruelling 26-mile race in America.

A familiar sight on lunch-time three-mile training runs around Doncaster Lake near her office, Shabana, from Rotherham, plans to up her running by two miles each week ready for New York. She is also working with a personal trainer at the EWS gym.

“In 2002 I was diagnosed with a long-term and painful degenerative disc condition, and could barely walk at one stage,” said Shabana.

“Doctors told me I needed to exercise to build up my back muscles to reduce the pain, and running has really worked for me.”

On 2 November she will be running through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan before crossing the finishing line in Central Park to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

“ It’s going to be tough, but I’m training hard and really looking forward to a fantastic day in an amazing city,” said Shabana.

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