SOUTHEND’S Paul Whittaker will be on pace-making duty at the Brighton Marathon on Sunday – as he looks to gain experience for his own future over 26.2 miles.

The 23-year-old, who has recently completed a switch back to Southend AC, sees a bright future for himself over the marathon distance.

But he knows he has plenty of experience to build up, and training to go through, before he makes the step up.

Sunday’s pace-making is one of the steps on that road.

Whittaker has been asked to pace British hopeful Jon Pepper – who is aiming to run 2h 15m – through half way in 67m 20s.

That time is just outside his personal best for the half-marathon distance and after having had a few months plagued with illness, Whittaker is unsure how is body will be feeling on the day.

“This is a good chance for me to get some experience,” said Whittaker, who helps run the family-owned Runners Edge store in Southend.

“I know I still need to get stronger before I can run a good marathon, but I’m confident I will do it eventually.

“But I’ve got to work on improving over the shorter distances before I move up and that will be my aim over the next few years.”

It seems Whittaker’s natural fit would be at the longer distances.

He admits to running comfortably over 100 miles a week on most weeks.

“Just doing 80 to 90 miles a week is not enough for me to keep improving,” he said, “I have realised my body responds well to miles rather than speed work. That’s just the way some people are.

“But that’s not to say I’m going to neglect that side of things. I still want to run fast on the track before moving up.”