Advanced prostate cancer cannot stop one 67- year-old running fanatic from Clarbeston Road training for the London marathon – his 18th marathon race.

Many people in Roland Sherwood’s situation might decide to take things easy but he is fighting back and continuing his road training, with faithful running partner Coorah, the three-legged lurcher/Staffie cross.

Roland took up running in the 1980s and, along with wife Pat, has organised and taken part in numerous 10- mile events, half-marathons and marathons, so was extremely fit when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year.

In April Roland will run the Virgin London Marathon and is aiming to raise a minimum of £2,000 for Tenovus, a charity supporting cancer patients and their families across the country.

His hormone treatment and many tablets sap all his energy and severely reduce muscle strength, so he is working extremely hard to increase his running times.

He could once run a 10k in 48 minutes and a halfmarathon in 1hr 48min.

“My last London marathon I did in about 3hours 45mins, this year it’s going to take over five hours but I’ve never stopped running, I run five or six days a week,” he said.

“I have treated the cancer like toothache: I’ve got it, yes; I’m going to die, probably; but why should I worry about it?”

Roland’s early morning runs with Coorah, and sometimes Jack Russell Brindi, take him on routes around Maenclochog and the surrounding area, ranging from three to more than 16 miles.

Roland is also running a 10-mile race in Llanelli this weekend and has a 20-miler lined up for next month.

“If by doing what I’m doing it encourages others to do the same and it helps other men to get checked out then it’s a job well done.

“Some people might say it’s inspiration, I say it’s madness,” added Roland.

Roland’s fitness and sense of humor is helping the fight against the cancer.

To sponsor him, visit http://uk.virginmoney giving.com/RolandSherwoo d or add a donation to his sponsor form at the Haverfordwest Tenovus shop.