Marathon runner doing it for his dad

Marc’s chosen charity is the British Heart Foundation, in memory of his dad Reg who died on December 2.

He said: “The training is hard and very time consuming but it’s a once in a lifetime chance so it’s definitely worth doing. One of the people I work with has been trying to get into the London marathon for seven years so I think he was pretty miffed I got in first time. Not only that but I’ve got a ballot place which means I don’t have to raise a certain about of money for charity to get in. I’ve got a half marathon coming up soon in Blackpool and I’m slowly running longer distances but it’s tough. I’m the reserve team goalkeeper for Garstang but that’s more because of lack of keepers rather than talent. I came out of retirement to do it too so it’s not like it’s been helping my fitness for all these years!”

Marc goes on to explain it wasn’t just his decision as to which charity he would be raising money for.

“I want to raise money for the British Heart Foundation because when my dad passed away he wrote a letter saying he wanted money to go to the charity,” Marc said. “Not only that but without them I would have lost my dad months earlier.”

Marc wants to raise £1,000 and so far he’s at £600. Anyone who wants to donate can by going to Marc’s fundraising page - www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Marc-Armstrong1