26 March 2023 , 02:07
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Natalie Cassidy has posted her fastest running times while preparing for this year's London Marathon.
The EastEnders star, 39, has already completed the gruelling 26.2km course around the capital in 2019 when she raised money in honour of former co-star Dame Barbara Windsor.
Natalie was joined by seven of her EastEnders cast members for the challenge on behalf of Alzheimer's Research UK's Dementia Revolution.
Along with Barbara's husband Scott Mitchell; Adam Woodyatt, Jake Wood, Emma Barton, Kellie Shirley, Tanya Franks, Jamie Borthwick and Jane Slaughter all undertook the long-distance race. Barbara died in December 2020 at the age of 83.
Natalie took to Instagram to speak about her progress (instagram)During her training in 2019, Natalie lost a remarkable three stone and has enjoyed running ever since. She is set to embark on her second London Marathon on April 23 and it appears that her training has been paying off.
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The Sonia Fowler actress said on her Instagram Stories: "I just did my fastest 5k and my fastest mile ever. I can't believe it, some days you just go out don't you.
"I had my music on and I just ran and ran and ran. I feel very proud of myself, I did my fastest mile in 10 minutes and five seconds and I think the average was 10:16. So it was just over 30 minutes my 5k. So I feel very proud of myself."
She added: "The fantastic thing about training for a marathon is you can really eat quite a bit if cake.
"So I'm going to sit here, thank everyone for supporting Bab's army, and please keep donating what you can, even if it's pound, it means a lot. So yeah, training is going really well guys. Keep it up everyone who is doing it. Loads of love."
The same group of EastEnders stars who joined Scott for the 2019 edition of the charity race, except Emma Barton, will be put to the test next month and he has managed to recruit more celebrity names for Babs' Army.
The actress recently revealed the amount of her EastEnders pay packet (Instagram)Scott, who is now an ambassador for Alzheimer's Research UK, has turned to the EastEnders cast once again for bodies, with Lacey Turner, Heather Peace, Daisy Luckett and James McIntyre also taking part this year.
Adam Woodyatt's son Adam and former Great British Bake Off winner Candice Brown will also get their running trainers on for the charity.