Ian Turner completes virtual London Marathon charity run on Llandudno promenade

Report by Don Hale. Photographs by John Hatton

Master veteran runner Ian Turner completed his Virtual London Marathon charity challenge on Llandudno promenade last Sunday morning.

The popular townsman was supported by a host of North Wales Road Runners Club members, who either ran part of the course with him, or were available as a back-up team with drinks and refreshments.

Ian, who was running in support of “Breast Cancer Now,” was aiming to try and raise at least £1,000 for this charity, eventually completed his gruelling attempt by running numerous laps up and down Llandudno promenade.

And to help pace him throughout his marathon, which included the full 26.2 distance, Ian was joined by club colleagues and friends, Don Hale, Richard Scamans, Helen Hannam, Steve McCarten and Kay Hatton, who each completed varied distance legs.

John Hatton took some excellent commemorative photographs and organised a superb back-up team and ensured there were always plenty of drinks and refreshments for Ian during his tough 5 hour 30 minutes and 15 seconds run.

Ian started the day quite early and made a diary note about his quest, in which he said: “Marathon Day has arrived, and the wind is howling. Not going to be an easy time on the promenade, but it is what it is! ‘09:00 start by the pier gates and hopefully finish between 2pm and 3pm. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far, I really appreciate it.”

Fortunately, the weather remained pretty good throughout the day, although the experienced athlete had to sometimes contend with some blustery head and cross winds along the prom, it seemed to have little or no impact upon his heroic performance.

After the race, he confirmed: “Here are my official stats for today’s Virtual London Marathon. Lots of thank you’s to give, but I’ll leave that for now as I’m still in recovery mode and my brain is still unattached from my aching body.Thank you to everyone who has sponsored me so far, I really appreciate it.”

John Hatton, who also obtained some welcome sponsorship towards Ian’s challenge from Tesco and Conwy Sports, among others, added: “Absolutely brilliant, well done Ian.”

*This is the link towards Ian Turner’s “Breast Cancer Now” appeal:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ianturnerbcn21…