Jeff Aston will run the London Marathon in Cardiff on October 4 in support of Welsh charity City Hospice.
A familiar sight on the streets of North Cardiff as a member of the Les Croupiers running club, Jeff has entered every London Marathon event since the inaugural marathon in 1981. His dedication to the event has secured him membership of an exclusive group of runners known as the “Ever Presents”.
This year, at the age of 73, Jeff was due to take part in the 40th London Marathon. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event will be closed to all apart from elite competitors.
Keen to maintain the culture and challenge for the “Ever Presents”, the marathon’s organising body have arranged for the group to compete on the same day over a route close to their homes. Jeff will take to the streets of Cardiff this Sunday and hopes to complete his challenge at around 4:00pm in front of City Hospice in Whitchurch.
Jeff is raising funds for the charity in memory of his wife Val, a renowned and loved Chemotherapy Nurse Specialist who died of cancer in 2016.
City Hospice is Cardiff’s local hospice, providing nursing and clinical support to people with life limiting and terminal illness, in addition to counselling and support services for their patients’ families. The only provider of home-based specialist palliative care in the capital, City Hospice provides care and compassion to 550 patients at any one time.
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, City Hospice has continued to deliver patient services to those affected with life limiting illness in the community.
Liz Andrews, Chief Executive at City Hospice, said: “It’s an incredible achievement to complete a London Marathon, let alone take part in every one over the last 40 years! It must be so disappointing not to be running in London this year on the event’s 40th year.
“However, we are delighted that Jeff has chosen to run this year’s virtual event in memory of his wife Val and in aid of City Hospice, and we look forward to supporting him.”
Donations to support Jeff’s fundraising can be made on JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jeffaston2020
