Keith James

A MAN from Newport is getting ready to run the Newport Marathon four times in 24 hours, finishing his last lap alongside 6,000 other runners on Sunday.

Starting his mammoth challenge this afternoon, Keith James, from St Julians, will have already completed the course three times by the start of the ABP Newport Marathon the next day.

He’s taking on the 104.8 mile effort as part of a gruelling challenge in aid of Welsh children’s hospice Ty Hafan.

A veteran of around 80 ultra marathons, the 46-year-old runner will start at 3pm on Saturday and finish approximately 24 hours later with the mass-race field.

The thought of taking on the flat, fast course through the heart of Newport and stunning surrounding countryside may sound crazy to most, but Mr James is relishing the challenge.

“Most people think I’m mad to do it four times,” he said. “As a flat road race, most people are challenging themselves to run fast times and personal bests, but for me it will be just as mentally challenging as it will be physically demanding.

“I was due to complete a race called The Arc of Attrition - a 100 mile winter Ultra marathon down in Cornwall.

“But I unfortunately picked up a nasty virus a couple of days before I was due to travel which meant I had to pull out of the race.

“I have been fundraising for Ty Hafan and obviously now want to fulfil my obligation by still doing a 100 miles, so after signing up for my local marathon, I came up with the plan to run it four times.

“The first leg should be fine as I’ll be fresh, and the support along the route for the final leg should carry me through, but I’m concerned about the third time around.”

Mr James has already smashed his target of £1,000 fundraising target for Ty Hafan, who provide end of life and palliative care for children and their families in Wales, but he is hoping to double that amount by the time he begins his 104.8 mile journey.

“I got into running about 12 years ago and after completing the Cardiff Half Marathon and Paris Marathon, I wanted to keep pushing myself to see how far I could go,” he added.

Matthew Crummack

A NEWPORT-based chief executive has decided to run a marathon in the city dressed as a character made famous by his business.

Matthew Crummack, chief executive of Newport-based GoCompare, will be running the full 26.2 miles of the ABP Newport Wales Marathon, in an inflatable opera singer suit, complete with heavily-pomaded wig and curly moustache.

He will be raising funds for NSPCC Cymru at the event on Sunday, May 5, which will have global television exposure, with a highlights package to set to feature the elite men’s and women’s 26-mile and 10K events.

Mr Crummack said: “This will be my second marathon in GoCompare’s hometown and I’m determined not to let the costume slow me down too much.

“If I can avoid blistering heat, strong headwinds, and punctures, I’m aiming for a sub five-hour marathon. I’m sure I’ll suffer, but it’s worth it to raise money for a worthy cause, and to hopefully put a smile on people’s faces.

“I’ve already had some odd looks from people on my training runs around the park near the office...”

Rob Budgen

AN RAF Physical Training Instructor who was paralysed in a parachuting accident will be taking part in the Newport 10K on Sunday.

Rob Budgen, 34, fell about a thousand feet at 50mph after becoming entangled with another jumper.

He said: “I was out on an exercise in America and the last jump of the exercise, I jumped out of the aircraft from 1,200ft.

“I became entangled with another jumper, and was knocked out.

“I woke up in hospital I don’t know how many days later.

“I had broken my neck and damaged my spine”

He’s now taking part in the Newport 10K to raise money for the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association (Blesma).

The Armed Forces charity is dedicated to assisting serving and ex-Service men and women who have suffered life-changing limb loss or the use of a limb, an eye or sight.

Mr Budgen was a keen runner before his accident.

“I ran at a reasonable level,” he said.

“Since then, I have taken part in one half marathon, and this will be my first 10K.

“They require a lot more upper body strength now. As there are a lot less muscles working, the ones that are have to work twice as hard.

“There is a group of us who will be taking part for Blesma - seven of us in the 10K and five in the marathon.

“I was hoping to do the marathon, but I had a couple of setbacks.

“We wanted a different challenge. There are quite a few of us that are based in south Wales, and it is a great opportunity to raise money for a cause that’s close to our hearts.

“I know it is a cliche, but we are just looking to get around and raise money for the charity and have fun doing it.”