Simon gives it a run for the money

AMAN from Southport, who has only been running for a few years, has just completed the Berlin marathon and raised £450 for Prostate Cancer UK.

Simon Rostron, 46, was supported by family and friends at various points throughout the 26-mile course. His time was four hours and 10 minutes.

Simon took up running when he was 42 and weighed more than 15st.

The running, combined with a healthier diet, helped him lose weight and he has now slimmed down to 12st.

His partner, Nicole Dunn, said: “Simon used to ride horses since he was a child and after selling his horse when he was in his 20s, he slowly put on a lot of weight.

“People who have not seen him in a long time do not recognise him now.”

Simon began running very short distances and slowly increased his fitness level and distance.

He then had his first race, the Southport Mad Dog 10k race in 2015, followed by the Southport half marathon (13.1 miles) the following year and then completed his first full marathon in Manchester last year.

He applied to run the Berlin event, getting lucky on his third application, and ran it with his cousin, Marcel Irrgang, 30, who is an experienced runner and has completed about 10 marathons and triathlons.

Marcel lived in Southport and Manchester before returning to Berlin.

Nicole said: “Marcel had similar reasons why he started running. They supported each other via WhatsApp and completed a 16-week training programme.

“Simon achieved his personal best with the Berlin Marathon. He was so unfit until a few years ago and shows you that even at his age you can change and achieve such great things in life.”

Simon and Marcel will run the Edinburgh Marathon in spring 2020 followed by Loch Ness Marathon in October.

Simon has a daughter, Holly, and Nicole has a son, Tim, and they are set to get married next year.

DO you have a story for the Southport Visiter? Please email reporter Catherine MacKinlay at: catherine.mackinlay@ reachplc.com or call her on 0151 472 2444.