The big day is finally here - the London Marathon 2021.
After the popular race was transformed into a virtual event in 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic, this year's run has been pushed back from its usual April slot to the first Sunday in October in order to see thousands of runners take to the famous course.
Sunday, October 3 will see dozens of athletes set off from Blackheath followed by more than 40,000 fun-runners taking on the course for themselves and the benefit of charities across the world.
And once again, we have runners from our area ready to take on the 26.2-mile course with big ambitions of reaching the finish line on The Mall in good time.
From everyone at the Oswestry Advertizer, we wish you all the very best.
Fiona Boyce
Kicking things off we have Fiona Boyce, who beat breast cancer and is now running in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
The 56-year-old, who lives with her husband in Oswestry and has two adult children, marked five years since her diagnosis in 2016 by completing the Edinburgh Marathon, and now has her sights set on completing the London route in support of Macmillan Cancer Support.
She said: “I want to give back to a service that helped me.
“Following my diagnosis, I certainly wouldn't have imagined running the London marathon ever, but if I can run the marathon, anyone can.
“I was really pleased to get a charity place this year and I’m looking forward to the challenge, for a great cause.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Fiona can do so via her Virgin Money page at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/FionaBoyce3
Alex Price
Alex Price is running in memory of his fiancee's uncle, well-known lorry driver, Roy Jones.
By running the event, Alex will be raising funds for Leukaemia Care – a UK-based charity aiming to provide information, advice and support to people with blood cancer.
“We all miss Roy very much and as a family, we're so touched that Alex has taken on this huge challenge in his memory," said Roy's sister Avril.
“Alex didn't know Roy for very long. Roy was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2016, not long after Alex came into our lives, but they became good friends in that short time.
“We're all so very proud of Alex and his determination to run the London Marathon and to raise as much money as he can for this worthy charity."
To read more about Alex and Roy's story, or to donate to the fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/alex-price26
Pete Butler
Oswestry Olympian Peter Butler is running a marathon in a slightly different way - in Wellington boots.
The 35-year-old is setting his sights on the world record time for completion of the marathon while wearing a pair of wellies, which currently stands at three hours, 21 minutes and 27 seconds.
Despite the change in footwear, Pete has been preparing for the 26.2-mile run as he has done in previous years.
“I’ve not actually ran in my wellies yet so I’m not sure how it will go – I’ll have to wait and see how it feels on the day," he said.
“I’m a member of the Oswestry Olympians so I tend to do quite a bit of running."
Gareth Jones
And finally, Gareth Jones is running in memory of his grandfather in aid of Parkinson's UK.
Mr Jones, who lives in Llanymynech but is originally from Welshpool, said it was a cause that was close to his heart.
"Parkinson’s UK not only supports people and their families with this disease but also is continually researching to try a find a cure," he said.
"My Grandad suffered for many years from Parkinson’s disease so the charity I am running for is close to my heart."
Gareth says if anyone wants to add to his total, they can do so online at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GarethJones238
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