Father is 'very sore' after running marathon in memory of grandmother (From Times Series)

Father from New Barnet 'very sore' after running Amsterdam Marathon for Macmillan Cancer Support

10:10am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News By Emma Innes

A father-of-two from New Barnet is “very sore and walking gingerly” after taking part in a marathon in memory of his grandmother.

Chris Ward, 40, of St Mark’s Close, ran the Amsterdam marathon with his brothers, Gavin Ward, 42, and Murphy Ward, 35, on Sunday.

Mr Ward completed the marathon, which was his first, in four hours and five minutes.

The ex-parks keeper, who is training to be a primary school teacher, undertook the 26 mile challenge to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support because the charity’s nurses looked after his grandmother who died in February.

He said: “I completed the marathon much faster than I had been able to do in training, but it was also much harder than I had anticipated.

“My eight-year-old daughter and five-year-old son were both there to support me and I was particularly glad to see my whole family waiting in the crowd at the finishing line.”

He added: “Running this marathon seemed like a good way to pay the nurses back for looking after our grandmother.

“The support they gave her was invaluable. They were very caring and calm and practical.”

Mr Ward has so far raised £1,000. To sponsor him visit www.justgiving.com/chrisjward