ETERAN runner Giorgio Zanol is hoping to complete his 41st long-distance race at the age of 65, racing in the London Marathon as part of the fight against juvenile diabetes.

The president and managing director of the Lindo's Group of Companies is now appealing to residents to sponsor him in his cause.

When he competed in the marathon last year, his efforts raised more than ?20,000 (about $35,000) for a UK charity, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), and an additional $14,500 for the Bermuda Diabetes Association.

Mr. Zanol's efforts will once again be supported by the Argus Group. The company has agreed to pay his ?1,500 registration fee and match the funds he raises with a donation to the Bermuda Diabetes Foundation of up to $5,000.

"There are 350,000 people in England and nearly five million around the world with Type One diabetes," he said. "It's those figures that have encouraged me to run for the JDRF, which is searching for a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

"I like to run and so I thought, why not run for something positive? Maybe my efforts can make a difference. That's my biggest hope and I can't thank Argus and the people of Bermuda enough for their sponsorship.

"At the end of the day, I'm doing this because I don't like to see children suffer. Nobody has diabetes in our family so far, but you never know. And the money I hope to raise won't just help people with diabetes in England. If the JDRF finds a cure, it will help every child with Type One diabetes in the world, including Bermuda."

Diabetes is a chronic condition that impairs the body's ability to use food properly. Type One diabetes ? where the body produces no insulin ? cannot be prevented and strikes suddenly, usually affecting children. Insulin injections and multiple daily blood tests are essential.

The JDRF is affiliated with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, the leading charitable fund and advocate of Type 1 diabetes research world-wide. The Bermuda Diabetes Association works to promote awareness in people of all ages about the signs, symptoms and treatment of the disease and the extremely serious complications which may result from poor control of it.

Among the services the charity offers are public diabetes screenings and sponsored workshops for healthcare professionals. It also provides sponsorship for children attending diabetes summer camps. The group intends to use donated funds to run a Type 1 diabetes camp at Paget Island in September.

Gerald Simons, president and chief executive officer of the Argus Group, said his company was proud to be affiliated with the cause.

"The Argus Group is pleased to once again support Giorgio in his fund-raising efforts," he said. "Around 14 per cent of Bermuda's population has diabetes. There is currently no cure for Type 1 diabetes ? however, by supporting Giorgio in raising money for JDRF and the Bermuda Diabetes Association, Argus will help to fund important research into the cause, prevention and cure of this type of diabetes.

"Through the Argus Wellness Programme, we hope to assist the people of Bermuda to manage diabetes."

Mr. Zanol said contributions by Bermuda residents and the Argus Group last year enabled him to raise more money for the JDRF than any other marathon participant.

"I was extremely proud last year that, with the support of the Bermuda community, I was honoured with the title of top fund-raiser for JDRF in the London Marathon.

"However, the fight against diabetes goes on and so I am once again running the marathon to help the JDRF continue its research to find a cure for diabetes and its complications.

"Juvenile or Type 1 diabetes is a disease that strikes suddenly, lasts a lifetime, and carries the constant threat of deadly complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputation. I urge the people of Bermuda to help me raise money to fight this chronic, debilitating condition."

veteran runner will turn 65 the day before the race. Asked if he was ready to compete in his first marathon as a senior citizen, Mr. Zanol said he was looking forward to it. Bolstering his confidence is the fact that he competed in Bermuda's International Race Weekend marathon just last month.

"I'm not as fast as I used to be, but I feel great. I had a physical three months ago and everything was fine ? my blood pressure, my heart rate, my blood sugar ? so I'm a great believer in exercise."

Although a consistent runner, Mr. Zanol said he began training for the upcoming event approximately one week after his last marathon.

"I'm now running four times a week, running between 35 and 38 miles but that will go up to between 48 and 50 miles over the next few weeks," he explained.

"I did the marathon in three hours and 38 minutes last year. This year, a friend of mine has promised to donate $500 if I do it in under 3 hours and 40 minutes, so I do have an incentive.

"I'm blessed in that I have no knee problems, nothing. You have to be smart in training. You can't do three miles one day and 15 the next. You have to gradually go up. If you train smartly ? and through experience I know what to do ? you're less prone to injury."

Mr. Zanol said he had been encouraged by the local response to his efforts and hoped residents would be just as supportive this year.

"After I started training and people got to know I was running for diabetes associations locally and abroad, so many people came forward with their stories," he explained.

"They are looking for a cure and are getting closer to finding one so it makes me feel good to know I can help in a little way with this."