I'm running the London Marathon. Words that I didn't think I'd ever say, writes Owen Rodbard

Yet my brain still struggles to fathom and compute the pure emotion of my reasoning why I am taking on this ridiculously long challenge. 

The 'why' being my dad. 

Since his passing in 2020 I have had a box under my bed at university with some of his old belongings.

Owen's beloved late father Gary running the 1998 London Marathon. CREDIT: Owen Rodbard

One being his vest from when he completed the London Marathon in 1998, and the picture of him at the finishing line, arms out wide as he finished the 42km just shy of five hours. 

I completed a running challenge in early 2021 in memory of him, raising £2,200 for Leicester Hospital charities, but I wanted to push myself more. 

I wrote, spoke on local radio and even on national TV about eventually doing that marathon, so when I signed up for a charity place in September without any expectation, I was shocked to receive a phone call confirming my place from the same charity that my Dad represented. 

So I've donned my stupidly expensive running shoes, socks and shorts and as I write this I'm currently 10 weeks into training. 

I run three to four times a week, with gym session scattered in and around my uni schedule and my job. 

It's been tough so far. I've never been a distance runner, so running 15km at a time is a tough challenge. When it all starts hurting and I feel like I can't continue, I think of the reasons why I'm doing all of this. 

25 years later, same charity. I hope I can do you proud Dad. I'll be thinking of you when I cross that finishing line. 

If anyone would like to donate to my Just Giving Link page, the link is at the bottom of the page.

I've pledged to hit £2,000 before I race so I'll be eternally grateful for any donations to get me closer to that huge number. 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/owen-rodbard2

Owen's beloved late father Gary, pictured crossing the line at the 1998 London Marathon. CREDIT: Owen Rodbard

Owen adds: I'm delighted to announce that I'll be running the London Marathon on Sunday, April 23 for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society in memory of my Nan who died of this disease in 2005, and also my dad, Gary, who died of Covid in 2020. 

MS is a degenerative condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance. MS affects 1 in 500 people in the UK, with 130 people a week being diagnosed with the disease, and over 18,000 people dying worldwide every year. 

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