Marathon challenge in the big apple
Rugby Area Risk Manager, Ian Tonner from Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service will be putting on his running shoes to compete in the New York marathon next weekend.
Ian is a seasoned runner and this won’t be his first marathon as he successfully completed the London race earlier this year. He will be running on behalf of charity CLIC Sargent (Caring for Children and Young People with Cancer) and despite the gruelling training schedule he is looking forward to the challenge.
Ian said: “I decided to set myself a challenge last year and at the same time try and raise money for a charity. I have always tried to keep fit and thought that I could do so whist doing something worthwhile.
“I’ve been clocking up the miles and it’s not been an easy training schedule with early starts of 6am to get the distance and training in before getting off to work and then the long training runs covering 10 to 20 miles every Sunday.
Ian’s motivation for training so hard comes from his recognition of the strength and challenges that thousands of children living with cancer face on a daily basis.
The date of the race, Sunday the 2 of November is poignant to everyone in Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service as it is also the anniversary of the tragic fire at Atherstone-on Stour which took the lives of four of Ian’s colleagues. Ian said: “Although I will be in New York my thoughts will be with the families and colleagues of our fallen friends and my plan is to complete the race for them as well as supporting CLIC Sargent.”
To sponsor Ian on his run and donate to CLIC Sargent you can visit Ian’s webpage http://www.justgiving.com/iantonner.