Vale of Glamorgan Member of Parliament Alun Cairns was the fastest MP to run the London Marathon in 2015, and he expects to go even quicker on Sunday.

Cairns is set to take part in his fifth consecutive Virgin Money London Marathon this weekend but despite being the fastest MP last time out, he was disappointed with his time of 03:38:25 hours.

And the 45-year-old has set his sights on surpassing his previous best of 03:34:16 set in 2014 this time around.

“The first marathon is about experience but then you become a bit more competitive when it comes to times,” Cairns said.

“Last year was not my best; the year before that was when I ran 3 hours and 34 minutes, so I would love to get 3 hours 29 minutes and 59 seconds – as long as it is less than 3.30.”

Cairns will be running to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity and Breast Cancer Now after he was approached by his constituents about the issues.

He is relishing the chance to raise money for two good causes while taking part in an event which he believes is incomparable.

“There are two main reasons why you run the London Marathon: the first is to raise money for a good cause and the second is for the experience of it. It is just the most magical experience ever,” he added.

“It is the most exciting thing ever. The crowds are three or four deep from when you cross the start line to the finish line. It is fantastic and the biggest ego boost.

“That is the fun part of it but the most importantly is the millions and millions of pounds that gets raised for good causes.”

This year will see the one-millionth person complete the Virgin Money London Marathon since the first race in 1981.

April 24 will also see another historic achievement as Major Tim Peake is set to become the first astronaut to run a marathon in space inside the International Space Station.

Back on earth, Cairns will be joined on the on the start line by a host of leading athletes and celebrities, with multiple Paralympic champion David Weir going for a record seventh wheelchair title and Hollywood A-Lister Natalie Dormer among those taking part.

“To be part of the one million makes it even more special,” he continued.

“I have tried to find out roughly at what point the one millionth person will cross the line but the organisers won’t tell me for the fear of there being a bottleneck, with everyone hoping to be the one millionth person.

“But everyone will feel like a million dollars at the end because the Virgin Money London Marathon does that for you.”