A ‘DREAM come true’ – a Rugby man who ‘changed his life’ by shedding 10 stone is set to achieve his goal of running the London Marathon.
After being overweight for nearly 30 years, Graham Old made a change after his GP advised him to lose weight and prescribed him medication for high blood pressure.
He got his weight down from 25 stone to 15 after joining the Rugby Slimming World group in 2016 and taking on a ‘Couch to 5k’ weight loss programme.
Last September, he finished his challenge of running every day for a year to raise £1,500 for Cancer Research, clocking up 1,300 miles in the process – “not bad for someone who struggled to walk up the stairs!”
At his heaviest, Graham weighed 25 stone. He got his weight down to 15 stone after joining the Rugby Slimming World group and taking on a ‘Couch to 5k’ weight loss programme.
And at the London Marathon on Sunday April 28, he will join Slimming World’s national team of 11 slimmers to raise more money for the cancer charity.
Graham, 50, said supporting the charity was particularly important to him.
He explained: “I have lost too many friends and family members to cancer – but I also know people that have beaten it.
“Those people I know who have been affected by cancer have been in my thoughts when I’ve been out running.
“When I’ve struggled to get out – if it’s been cold or wet – all I do is look at the reason why I started this and I get out there. A little bit of pain for me is nothing compared to the pain other people go through.
“I’m excited to give something back and raise money for Cancer Research UK. If I can help one person, one family, then it has all been worthwhile.”
Graham has now completed numerous half marathons, including the Rugby half marathon – and can’t wait to run his first full marathon.
He said achieving his London Marathon dream would never have been possible before losing weight.
“I can’t believe I’m running the London Marathon after where I was just a couple of years ago,” he said. “I was even considering weight-loss surgery.
“My health has improved dramatically, I have so much more energy and my mental health has improved too.
“I am a different person now from when I started my journey – both in appearance but also in confidence and outlook.
“I’ve really found a love for running, and to be running the big one this year is a real dream come true.
“I can’t wait for the atmosphere on race day and to cross that finish line.”
Money raised will go towards Cancer Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society’s life-saving research. Visit www.justgiving.com/slimmingworld2019londonmarathon to sponsor Graham.
