A 65-YEAR-old man who has run the London Marathon 13 times is to run it virtually for the second successive year next weekend, this time in aid of a cancer charity close to his heart.
Ian Turner, an entertainer formerly of Llandudno Town Council, will start at Llandudno’s pier gates and run along the promenade 26 times on Sunday, October 3 to raise money for Breast Cancer Now.
The work of Breast Cancer Now, who provide and offer extensive research into breast cancer and care for those it affects, is particularly important to Ian after his partner, Anna-Marie McConnell, was diagnosed with the illness 12 years ago.
In total, this will be the 23rd marathon Ian, who is a registered volunteer for Breast Cancer Now along with Anna, has run, all of which have been in aid of various charities including Childline and the NSPCC.
He said: “I was with her when the breast cancer surgeon at Llandudno General Hospital gave her the breast cancer diagnosis, which was a bombshell, obviously.
“Eight days later, she was in theatre having the operation. She’s still with us and is 12 years clear. She had 15 courses of radiotherapy over three weeks after the operation.
“But there’s always the fear that it has returned. Even now, she still fears it’s going to be there when they look. It’s something I think every woman fears; she’s still wary, but as far as we know, she’s free of breast cancer.”
Ian’s fundraising runs started in 1995 when he was challenged live on his radio programme by the late Peter Clarke, former Children's Commissioner for Wales, to take on the London Marathon the following year in aid of Childline.
The 1996 London Marathon was, until 2018, the hottest on record, but that didn’t deter Ian from continuing to run for charity, and he hopes this year’s effort will raise as much in awareness of Breast Cancer Now’s work as it does funds for the group.
He also feels better prepared for this year’s virtual marathon than he did 12 months ago, when he raised an impressive £2,700 but made a last-minute entry after numerous runners dropped out.
He added: “I don’t class myself as a runner. I’m a fundraiser, and one of the things I do to raise money is run. Its been a significant amount (that he’s raised) and its helped a lot of people, which is the main thing.
“I’m better prepared this year than last year, that’s for sure. I’m doing things a lot better this year, so I’m more confident. Last year I hadn’t run for three years, so putting the running shoes on was a big ask.
“Its been really tough to get sponsorships this year. It’s not just fundraising, it’s awareness.
“I’ve had messages from ladies saying thank you for raising awareness not just of breast cancer, but of Breast Cancer Now, and showing that there’s a charity out there actively helping ladies and the 300 men a year on average who get diagnosed with breast cancer.
“It is a lifeline for these charities and the people they help.”
Ian is set to be joined by members of the North Wales Road Runners Club for various parts of the marathon, but has not set himself a time target, saying: “There’s an old runner’s saying which is: ‘To finish is to win’, and that’s what I’m going to do this year.”
You can donate to Ian’s cause, and help him reach his aim of £1,000, by visiting: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ianturnerbcn21.
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