A MASTERCHEF finalist from York will be taking part in the Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon in October.

Sara Danesin Medio, 42, of The Groves, rose to fame in the 2011 BBC series and has since started York’s first dining club and also offers tailormade cookery classes in her own home.

She said she was very much looking forward to running the marathon, which will be her first, and she is refusing to let an old ankle injury stop her.

Sara said: “I was meant to be running the London Marathon last year, but I injured my ankle and I had to postpone. I had an operation in January and when I applied to take part in the Yorkshire Marathon I was in a cast and on crutches.

“Now I am in training and so far I have done the equivalent of three half marathons, but I feel I need to catch up with my training.

“I have to say that what with the cooking, running a business and being on my feet all day and then going for a run, it’s hard work.”

Sara said she is planning to run a few half marathons around the country before the race in October and she was hoping to complete the marathon in four and a half hours.

She said: “I am raising money for a local charity, Jessie’s Fund, which was set up by a dear friend of mine after the death of her daughter and I will be arranging a Just Giving page before the event. I thought it would be good to raise money for such a worthwhile cause.”

Jessie’s Fund, which helps life-limited children and children with complex needs to communicate through music, was founded by professional York musician Lesley Schatzberger in memory of her daughter, Jessie, who loved playing violin and piano but died at the age of nine from a brain tumour.

If you want to donate to Jessie’s Fund before Ms Danesin Medio sets up her Just Giving page, go to the charity’s website jessiesfund.org.uk