A man who says he “got bit by the running bug” is lacing up this weekend for the first of three half marathons he is running for Brain Tumour Research.
Peter Vickers is taking on the Amazing Northampton Run this Sunday (17th September). In a couple of weeks, he’ll take part in the Run Leicester Half Marathon on Sunday 1st October, before crossing his fundraising finish line at the Milton Keynes Winter Half Marathon on Sunday 10th December. In just 12 weeks, he will clock up an impressive 63 running miles.
The 61-year-old is raising funds for Brain Tumour Research inspired by his friend, Angela Whicker, who was diagnosed with a grade 3 astrocytoma last year.
Angela has undergone a debulking surgery and radiotherapy, and is currently undergoing 12 months of oral chemotherapy.
She said: “When Peter asked if he could do these runs for me, it made me cry. He’s a lovely man and I was grateful he had thought of me and was taking the opportunity to raise money for Brain Tumour Research, a charity I also support. I have said I’ll be there to cheer him on at the end.”
Peter only took up running six years ago, but says he has got “Forrest Gump syndrome” and has completed 30 half-marathons and three marathons. He even took on his first ultra-marathon (35 miles) this year.
He said: “I just enjoy running and meeting different people. It’s the only sport I’ve found where everybody encourages everyone else to keep going. There’s no ‘I’m better than you, get out the way’, it’s ‘you can do this’, that’s what makes it so enjoyable.”
To help Peter reach his £500 fundraising target, please donate via his JustGiving page.