Twyford man ready for 52nd marathon
Twyford: Crossing the line one more time in aid of charity
What started off as one marathon has turned into an astonishing 52 for Twyford’s Justin Malin.
This week, 52 weeks after he started his first event, Justin will don his running shoes for the final 26.2-mile run in aid of Make-A-Wish Foundation, the charity that grants wishes to critically ill children.
Greeting him will be a cheering crowd at Stanlake Meadow on Saturday, and a well deserved celebration will follow.
A former triathlon and Ironman competitor, Justin said that apart from running ‘the odd 10k’ he’d never done a marathon before he took up this mammoth challenge.
“It all started back in dark and gloomy October 2021. I
made up my own route, running locally around Maidenhead, Marlow and Henley.
“I’ve always liked running. I like the simplicity of it – putting on a pair of trainers and just going.”
As well as completing local routes Justin took part in the Brighton Marathon earlier this year and a highlight of the 52week challenge was running a 26.2-mile route around Boston with the help of a USA-based challenge enthusiast who cycled alongside Justin for company.
“That was definitely the highlight for me. We’d never met before and got in touch through an international running website and had such a great run,” he said.
Father-of-three Justin said he was inspired to run for Make-A-Wish Foundation after learning about the work that they do from one of his daughters, who works for the charity. To date he has raised £5,550. “My children have been healthy their whole lives and I wanted to give something back to an organisation that supports children who are critically ill,” he said.
“And it’s not just the experience they receive through their ‘wish’ that’s amazing, but I’ve heard that when those who are suffering from cancer, for instance, are going through treatments, they remember
their special events and days provided for by the charity and those memories help them through the tough times.”
As the last of his 52 marathons approaches, Justin admitted it’s been hard but there are two events to look forward to.
He said: “It has been a real challenge. Running is a test of the physical, mental and emotional and each run is incredibly tough. You put on your shoes and leave the house and you never know what state you’ll return in. But the last one will be the big finale and we’re making a bit of an event
with tea and cake and a crowd.”
Justin will be joined at Stanlake Meadow by his daughter and her team from Twyford Comets who will help him complete a celebratory victory lap of the Twyford recreation ground.
Next up is the London Marathon where Justin will join 280 runners in the Make-A-Wish team.
He said: “It’s a great community; a real friendly, supportive group of people. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Visit www.justgiving. com/fundraising/justin-malin