Marathon challenge for David

2:46pm Monday 30th June 2008

DESPITE not having trained for the last two decades, an Alcester man is about to run the New York Marathon this year.

David Hasfon, a bricklayer from Alcester, is remarkably calm about the prospect of running more than 26 miles around a foreign city.

He was convinced to try his hand at the challenge after a few drinks in a local pub.

David said: "I'd had a little bit to drink with a friend of mine who's a firefighter, and we were discussing how the London Marathon's hard to get into, so I said if you can get me into New York I'll have a go.

"I've been fitter. I did two marathons when I was 21 with no training whatsoever, but I'm the wrong side of 40 now, so I'm looking forward to it but I'm apprehensive."

David has already started running again, and he is keen to try and raise £19,000 in sponsorship money for his two chosen charities, the Firefighters Benevolent Fund, and MacMillan Cancer Support.

Already he has been able to complete the Stratford Half Marathon successfully so he is on track for his November 2 deadline in the US.

He added: "I'm pleasantly surprised, to be honest. I go running with a friend of mine and he's always been out jogging and I'm not too far behind him."

Local company Building and Plumbing Supplies are pledging their support for the marathon effort, while David is going to have to rely on the crowds in New York to get him round the course, since his family will not be able to make it out there to cheer him on.

Anyone wishing to sponsor David can find collection buckets in Alcester Somerfield, as well as sponsorship forms in most of the pubs around town, or they can contact him on 07899 794683.

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