The Times and Flora pro.activ have teamed up to give up to 30 readers the chance to take part in the Flora London Marathon with Matthew Pinsent. You don’t have to be a keen runner or fitness fanatic; we are looking for people who have decided it’s time to get fit and improve their heart health. You will get the chance to train with Matthew and to run with him on race day — Sunday, April 23.

The three training days in London — the first on January 26, the other two in early March and early April — will include workshops on injury prevention, nutrition, preparing for the big day, massage and team training runs. They will be hosted by two leading professionals in sport & nutrition, Jane Wake and Jane Griffin.

You will be provided with training and nutrition plans tailored to your needs — and an e-mail agony aunt service direct to the experts. Team kit will also be provided. You will be given a health check at the first training day, when your cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose, heart rate, height, waist and weight will be measured. These measurements will be tracked throughout your training.

On race day, you will be transported with your team to the Green start line (the celebrity start) and met at the finish line.

We are looking for people who really want to improve their health and will put in the time and energy to prepare for and take part in the marathon. You must also be keen to support the team’s chosen charity, which is the Stroke Association — each entrant must raise a minimum of £1,000 — and be able to attend the training sessions in London.

How do you join Matthew and the team?

Tell us in no more than 200 words why you would like to run the marathon.

Make sure that your entry includes:

Full name
Age
Profession
Address
Daytime and evening phone numbers
E-mail address (if any)
Height (cm)
Waist (cm)
Weight (kg)
Smoker/non-smoker
Cholesterol level (if known)
Blood pressure level (if known)
Current levels of physical activity
List any medication you are taking

The information provided will be treated in strictest confidence, used only for this promotion and securely destroyed after the entrants have been notified.

Please send your entry by e-mail to marathon@thetimes.co.uk or post to Marathon Entry, times2, 1 Pennington Street, London E98 1TT.

THE CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES IS MIDDAY ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18.

Entrants must be 18 or over and UK residents. Successful entrants will be contacted by phone by 6pm on Friday, January 20. Please note, the first training day is in London on January 26. The team will be chosen according to their determination to meet the challenge and improve their health. The Editor’s decision is final. Those selected must agree to participate in publicity. Times Newspapers Limited will not be liable for any injury sustained as a result of participating in the London Flora Marathon or any training for the marathon. It is the responsibility of entrants to take adequate medical precautions. Good luck.

Matthew and the Times team are supported by Flora pro.activ. Information on lowering your cholesterol and controlling your blood pressure: www.floraproactiv.co.uk