Loved ones spur on Melton man through the marathon ‘tears and pain’
Matt King has always wanted to run a marathon and as he approaches his 50th birthday this year he finally took the plunge in London on Sunday.
The Melton Mowbray man described it as ‘a truly humbling experience’ after finishing in 4hrs 49mins 37secs to raise nearly £2,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support in memory of two much-missed relatives who were treated for the disease.
Matt said the strong sunshine in the capital got to him in the final 10km, scuppering his hopes of a 4.30 time.
“It was a truly memorable experience from collecting my bib at the running show at The Excel in London to collecting my finishing medal at the end,” he told the Melton Times.
“In between there were a lot of tears and pain but seeing my wife Beth, my son Declan and daughter Jade, and their partners, and my brother Robbie and sister- in-law Kate cheer me on was very special.
“The noise was immense and it’s true that it does carry you along the course.
"I really did leave everything on the route and felt it at the end but was looked after by St John Ambulance.”
He’s been training since October, following a strict 26-week plan, running Melton Park Runs, giving up alcohol and eating healthily in a bid to achieve something he never believed he could do.
His charity fundraising drove him on and thoughts were with the loved ones his family has lost every step of the way.
“MacMillan is such an important charity to me and my family,” said Matt.
"I was raised by my wonderful nan since I was five-years-old – we sadly lost her to pancreatic cancer in 2005.
“My nan was everything to me whilst growing up, she was a mother, a father and a best friend all rolled into one.
“She was there for me and my brother when other adults weren't and is missed every single day.
“We have also lost my father-in-law, who lost his 10-year fight to leukaemia in 2021.
“MacMillan was invaluable in their support during and after these difficult experiences and I am privileged to be raising donations for the charity and the memories of my nan ‘Dot’ and Father-in-law, Pete.”
Go online at www.justgiving.com/page/london2026matthewking to sponsor Matt.