Sports fan Del Christie had cardiac problems at 32 - but now he's lining up for the London Marathon

When sports-loving Del Christie suffered a sudden heart attack at the age of 32, he didn’t dare believe that nine years later he would be fit enough to run a marathon. 

But that’s exactly what the Luton father-of-two is going to be doing in London on April 17. 

And because of his own experience, Del is running to raise cash for CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young – a charity that works to raise awareness of the importance of screening for congenital cardiac defects in young people that so often go undetected and prove fatal. 

It was just such a defect that caused Del to suffer a heart attack, but he counts himself one of the lucky ones. 

“It would have happened at some stage, no matter what.  Luckily for me, I was young and pretty fit, and I recovered very well.  I loved sport and I’d always played football, squash and gone running.” 

Del was lucky to be married to a nurse – when he complained of persistent cramps across his chest that wouldn’t go away, she insisted he went to hospital where it was discovered that his “cramp” was in fact a heart attack, caused by a defective artery.  “It was a bit of a shock,” he admits. 

He made a good recovery after surgery and has been told that the nature of the problem is such that it is unlikely to ever happen gain. 

“Eventually I was told I could go back to doing all the normal things I’d done before, but I felt it might be a good idea to give up some of the sports I’d played, such as squash.”  And now, instead of playing soccer, he coaches a boys’ team, Bushmead Wanderers. 

Del, of Bramingham Road, admits he loathed cross-country at school, only later discovering the enjoyment and satisfaction to be had from long-distance running. 

Prior to his heart attack, he completed several half-marathons, but didn’t get back into serious running until last year.  He’s done a couple of 10k events, and goes out for a run most mornings before setting off for work in Milton Keynes, in the building industry. 

Completing in the London Marathon is something he’s always wanted to do, but he says, "I never had the belief in myself and I could do it.  Turning 40, I felt that if I was going to do it, I had to do it soon, and as this year is the 25^th anniversary of the event I really wanted to have a go.” 

He was delighted to be offered a Golden Bond place – running for one of the many charities that receive support – and opting to run for CRY seemed a natural decision. 

“It’s the whole atmosphere of the event I’m really looking forward to,” Del says.  “I think it will be a great experience.” 

Now, as well as training hard, he’s aiming to raise as much cash as possible for CRY.  He had to commit to raising a minimum of £1,250 but he’s making £1,500 his target and will be grateful for support from Herald & Post readers. 

You can still make a donation towards Del's target by logging on to www.justgiving.com/del

Alternatively,telephone 07855 752127, or e mail him at delroy.christie@ntlworld.com