Preston runner Ben Ashworth conquers London Marathon before latest operation

Cancer battler Ben Ashworth completed his 24th marathon at the weekend as he builds up fitness for his latest bout of surgery.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Apr 2016, 08:07 BST

Updated 26th Apr 2016, 09:18 BST

The 37-year-old father-of-three from Broadgate, Preston finished the big one in London in five hours 55 minutes only weeks after a PET CT scan spotted a new tumour on scar tissue from a previous liver operation.

“I feel incredibly lucky that I’ve been able to have this scan and they have spotted it at an operable stage,” said Ben who ran with his wife Louise.

“It’s just a bump in the road. I’ve always been aware that something like this could happen, which is partly why I’ve worked so hard to get stronger and fitter.

“My fitness will help me recover from surgery and if my body burns off all my muscle as I mend, then I’ll just build myself up again.

“To be able to share such a wonderful experience as the London Marathon with my wife was just amazing. I’ve got a place in the ballot for Berlin now, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to do it with my operation coming soon.”