A Lichfield man is getting ready to take on the London Marathon.
Jeff Sim will take on the 26-mile course through the capital in aid of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, where he is the land management team co-ordinator.
The 42-year-old, who has been running as a hobby for 10 years and completed the Great North Run in 2008, said: “I’ve never run a marathon before, and was always one of the slowest in cross country at school.
“But I’ve been running as a hobby for a decade and have also run a few 10km races.
“The London Marathon will be the first proper marathon I have taken on though.”
The Trust received a charity place for the marathon last year and Jeff put himself forward for the challenge.
He added: “I said I’d do it if they couldn’t find anyone else, and here I am just days away from the start!
“It is a little bit daunting, so I’ve stuck rigidly to my training plan, which started just after Christmas.”
Jeff has been running before work first thing in the morning four or five times a week, with a long run each weekend, gradually building up to 22 miles a couple of weeks ago.
“Training has been mixed, there has been some lovely runs,” he added. “But also some extremely tough ones too, including ones in wind, rain and hail when I’ve been really tired afterwards.
“I ran 90 miles in January, 140 miles in February and 155 miles in March. So I’m looking forward to the final 26.2 miles this Sunday.
“I think my wife and three children will be glad to get me back at weekends once training is finished and the race is over.
“I’d love to raise over £2,000 for the Trust.”
To sponsor Jeff, visit his online fundraising page.
