Runner's marathon effort

A Wakefield runner has tackled the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon to raise funds for Martin House Children's Hospice.

Christopher Peatfield, from Newton Hill, crossed the line in four hours and 16 minutes, despite it being the hottest marathon on record.

The 29-year-old was supported by his employer Redrow, its suppliers and sub-contractors and friends and family. He raised £4,235.78 for the firm’s adopted charity, which provides hospice care for children, young people and their families across North, West and East Yorkshire.

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Mr Peatfield said: “I trained for six months through the especially cold winter, often running on snow and ice, and then on the day itself it was hot and sunny throughout – the hottest London Marathon on record.

“I ran to my usual pace until Tower Bridge and then I just clung on. It was really hard in the heat but I managed to keep running and the support of everyone - for me and Martin House - in the lead up to the race kept me going.”

Mr Peatfield chose Martin House after supporting it as an employee of Redrow. He visited the hospice after the race to catch up with staff, volunteers and some of the thousands of young people they support, to show them his medal and hand over his bumper fundraising amount.

The senior designer added: “It’s the company’s chosen charity and, when you support something as an organisation, you become quite close and committed to it. Martin House provides family-led care and support for children and young people with life-limiting conditions so it’s a really worthwhile cause.”