Sidmouth Herald, June 5th 2021
A keen runner for 40 years, in June, John ran 26.2 miles along the Sidmouth seafront. This run, in memory of Jonathan Hayman and in aid of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), marked his final marathon. At 60 years old, due to a longstanding heart condition, John had decided that it was time to step away from running.
“I do have mixed emotions about this stage of my ‘running career’. I will miss the banter of the group running – but getting slower is also a feature of ageing,” he said. “However, I also feel fortunate in several ways – to have been diagnosed and have a further 13 years of decent running has been a massive bonus. I knew this time would come and I have exciting plans for cycling and walking in the future, and the occasional very slow run.
“I have also been hugely fortunate to have remained fit and almost completely injury free for my 40 years of running. There are so many positives to reflect on – such as having made such good friends and discovered some amazing places through running. I am a proud dad, now getting vicarious enjoyment out of seeing my two daughters loving their running, cycling and being outdoors.”
John ran in support of CRY, referring to the charity as “close to his heart”. He first came to know about CRY after a fit, young Sidmouth man, Jonathan Hayman, passed away due to an undiagnosed heart condition.
“I had already been diagnosed with my heart condition and because of their focus with younger people it resonated with me as their screening work is very important in diagnosing treatable cardiac conditions in the young,” he added.
