Isle of Wight runners are among those taking on the Southampton Marathon today (Sunday).

Races set off at 9am and today's event includes a full marathon, plus a half, a 10k and a 5k.

Among those to have headed across The Solent are Vicky, Simon, Tanya and Claire who are running for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS) UK.

The charity supports families with the same diagnosis as 17-month-old Rexford, who is from the Isle of Wight.

He is the only child on the Island with SDS and one of just 38 children in the UK under the care of Great Ormond Street.

Aged just five weeks, Rexford became unwell and ended up in Southampton's PICU.

Mum, Ashleigh, told the County Press: "We nearly lost him, at the time when strep throat was making lots of children very poorly.

"Rex picked up multiple new infections whilst in hospital and was medical mystery.

"After ruling out leukaemia and cystic fibrosis, it was suspected he had the super rare SDS and was diagnosed a year ago."

SDS affects white blood cells and growth and can cause skeletal abnormalities. It is lifelong and serious, and symptoms increase with age.

Rex has had numerous operations, treatments and transfusions, as well as problems with his liver and heart.

"We are very fortunate that he's been cared for so amazingly, both locally and in Southampton and at Great Ormond Street," said Ashleigh.

"Despite all his challenges, Rex is a happy-go-lucky little man who loves all people, his three older siblings, Bluey and chocolate."

Derek Reid is running for the Isle of Wight's St Catherine's School in Ventnor, which support children and young people from across the UK who has speech, language and learning difficulties.

Also taking part is a team from Mountbatten Isle of Wight.

Made up of staff, family and friends, the group is running the Southampton Half Marathon.