SPORTS shop manager Lee Cowling decided to test out some of the running equipment he sells by taking part in this year's London Marathon. The experience proved harder than he anticipated but the £747 pounds he raised in sponsorship was well worth the effort. And this week Lee, who runs Minehead Sports, handed over a cheque to the RNLI, the charity chosen to benefit from his efforts. "It was the first time I had taken part in the marathon and it was a lot tougher than I thought it would be," said Lee, who started training for the challenge three months before the event. "But I enjoyed it and I think I'll do it again." Lee is pictured, right, presenting the cheque to Tony Wood, chairman of the Minehead Lifeboat Guild. Photo: Steve Guscott.