THE former Vale MP Alun Cairns completed the London Marathon once again last Sunday.
It was the 13th time that he has completed the course and over those races, he has now raised over £100,000 for a range of charities. This year he ran for Children with Cancer and, as the Glamorgan Star went to press this week, his fundraising page had passed £2,800.
The previous runs were all done while sitting as an MP, so I asked him if training had been easier this year. He replied: “Actually no. When Parliament was sitting, I could head straight out at the end of the day’s business rather than have an evening meal. Being at home, you get caught up with family and friends and so many other things.”
In fact, he did run a time that was 30 minutes slower than the previous year – although the heat on Sunday must have been a factor. His 2024 time of 3 hours 26 minutes was out of reach this year.
He continued: “London is a very good place to train. It is much flatter than back home in the Vale. What’s more, there are three lovely parks to run in, plus the walkways along the banks of the River Thames. In contrast, in the Vale you often have to run on narrow roads – often without a smooth pavement – or any pavement.”
He added: “I have stayed off Facebook since the election but I did post when I completed the marathon. I was touched by the number of warm comments and congratulations.
“Children with Cancer is a first-class charity that helps fund research and care for children and families at the most difficult of times. The cases I have come to know are both heart-breaking and inspiring.
“Over recent years, the charity co-funded elements of a ground-breaking trial that led to one of the biggest breakthroughs in treating childhood leukaemia.”
It is still possible to donate to the charity. Just go to here.
By Philip Irwin – Senior Reporter
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