Darren and Iestyn

This article was sent to the local press but didn’t get published… there was another marathon story printed instead, about a man who would be running with his dog. Anyway it seemed a shame to waste it so here, albeit after the  big event,  it is!

Amongst those who will be topping up their training this week in preparation for the 26 mile London marathon on Sunday 26 April, are three Pontypridd men.

Iestyn Henson and Darren Griffiths Warner are regulars at the Saturday morning Parkrun in Ynysangharad Park. They ran their first half marathon together in Bath in March 2014 and have completed several half marathons since then as well as the annual Nos Galan run in Mountain Ash, last New Year. This will be Darren’s first marathon; Iestyn has run one before – as a schoolboy more than 30 years ago.

Phil – not in his usual running gear

“Both of our families have been affected by cancer” said Iestyn, “and the work of Macmillan Nurses is fantastic. We’ve held a number of fundraising events, including a successful Coffee Morning at St David’s Uniting Church which raised over £400. We’d encourage anyone who wishes to donate to this worthy cause to do so via Darren’s Just giving page https://www.justgiving.com/DarrenGriffithsWarner/ ”

The Rev Dr Phil Wall came to Pontypridd last August when he became the minister at St David’s Uniting Church. “At school I was the chubby asthmatic one who bunked off cross country. Until a few years ago my attitude to running hadn’t changed, until someone cajoled me into running and I soon found that I didn’t hate it!
“Turning the mobile off, and the ipod on and heading out for a few miles is now a luxury I try to squeeze in a couple of times a week. The big day is fast approaching and I’m strangely looking forward to it. So thanks to all those who have supported me and here’s wishing all the runners an enjoyable and injury- free run. Perhaps it’s not the most relaxing of ways to spend a Sunday off… but believe it or not, I reckon it will be a fun one”

As well as raising money for MacMillan Cancer Support, Phil is also raising funds for Alzheimers Society.