A MARATHON runner is only a few strides away from winning a competition to race around the streets of Paris.

Fitness fanatic Angela Shepherd, 51, has high hopes of conquering next year's Paris Marathon in under four hours and is now down to the last five in a contest to win guidance from a coach, physio, nutritional expert and a bespoke training plan.

If she achieves the most votes, the veteran of five marathons will be given a taster of what it’s like to train as an elite athlete as part of Runner's World ASICS Target 26.2 experience.

Mrs Shepherd, of Acomb, was one of 3,500 people who entered the competition.

The runners were whittled down to 50 and attended a bootcamp-style selection process in Birmingham.

From the 50, a final 25 were picked to go forward into a public vote on the magazine's website, but only one can run in their specific category.

Mrs Shepherd said: "I'm surprised but delighted to have reached the last five in the sub four hours category!

"I ran my first marathon at Manchester last year, and since then I’ve done another four, including both York marathons.

"I've come close to four hours every time, but never quite broken it.

"I would really love to do that and I feel with a little extra help from the experts I should be able to manage it."

To vote, visit http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/target262/runners-400.aspx

Voting closes on December 10.