Runner's Marathon raises £800

Darren Miller

Darren Miller from Rhyl completed a 28k run along the Denbighshire coast on Thursday 24 February in 2 hours and 30 minutes. Darren decided to undertake this marathon charity challenge after his mother was diagnosed with cancer.

Darren was inspired to take on the long distance run from the Beach Hotel in Prestatyn to Pensarn and back after Macmillan Cancer Support offered care to his mother, Ann, after she was diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

He said 'My mother was diagnosed with cancer before Christmas and spent all of Christmas having chemotherapy and I thought it would be good to give something back.'

Casual runner, Darren, increased his training over the past  months to beat his best ever distance by seven kilometres and said that raising money for a fantastic cause was worth the effort.

'I had run 21k a few times before and it really felt like death! The last few miles felt like hell, but it was good to have the wind behind me for the last part.' said Darren.

He will now go on to collect his sponsorship from friends, family and work colleagues at B&Q Chester and Morrisons, Connah's Quay and he has been overwhelmed by the response to his efforts.

'I set a target of £500, but when I went to see my parents to tally it up it was closer to £800.' he said.

The money is being split between Macmillan Cancer Support in North Wales and Northampton where Darren's mother lives.

L:iz Cole, Macmillan Cancer Support Area Fundraising Manager for North Wales, thanked Darren for his efforts in supporting Macmillan: 'We are delighted that Darren has completed his run and in doing so raised a fantastic £800 for Macmillan. We rely totally on the generosity of our supporters and with their help we are able to put in the vital cancer services in Wales that are needed by people affected by cancer. Thanks to our supporters like Darren we can offer support and help when it is most needed.