Solicitors run along the Rose Road.

Whilst some employees may feel they see enough of their managers at work, two Southampton solicitors have enlisted the help of their boss in order to meet the challenge of running this year’s London Marathon.

When David Lee decided to apply for a place to run the London Marathon, he knew that he would need support to help him train properly. Not only did he convince his colleague Laura Pittam, with whom he works at Eric Robinson Solicitors, to also apply for the race, but he found the perfect trainer for them both in Geoffrey Onoufriou, Head of the Commercial Team at the firm.

‘I have always been a keen runner’ says David, 32. ‘My first race was a two kilometre ‘Santa Dash’ and then I built up to 10 kilometre races at Marwell and Lordshill, 20 kilometres in Salisbury last summer and my first half marathon in the New Forest in September.’

David’s running mate, Laura, 29 has also been pushing herself over the past few months. ‘ I first took up running to take part in the five kilometre Race for Life in 2007. I then ran twice a week and have ‘upped the ante’ considerably for my marathon training - I am determined to meet the challenge of doing a marathon before I turn 30.’

Both David and Laura are running in aid of The Rose Road Association in Southampton which provides services for children and young adults with profound and multiple disabilities.

‘We went to a benefit last year and saw it was a really good cause which makes a big difference to young disabled people's lives,’ explains Laura. ‘Raising money for the Rose Road has given us that extra determination - we don’t want to let them down.’

To encourage and support their training, the pair train with the Southampton Running Club with whom Geoffrey Onoufriou, Partner at Eric Robinson Solicitors is one of the coaches. Geoff was a keen runner for over 20 years, participating in hundreds of events, including 12 marathons and several major road and cross country races. After suffering a knee injury that prevented him running again, Geoff, already a qualified coach, now concentrates his efforts on helping others.

‘Geoff planned a fairly tough routine which involves only two days rest a week,’ says David. ‘It involves a mixture of long distance and short, but sharp training.

David and Laura, who can often be seen running round Southampton Town, Common and Sports Centre, have a donation page for Rose Road at www.justgiving.com/dave_laura

I never thought I would be doing this,’ says Laura with a smile. ‘I think the secret is to have a training partner - it helps to push each other on and encourage each other, especially when Geoff is cracking the whip!’.