A NOVICE runner who says he ‘couldn’t run a bath let alone 5k’ seven months ago is set to take on the London Marathon.
Zac Hurst will beheading to the starting line in the capital on April 21 with thousands of others to take on the 26.2mile course across the city.
The 32-year-old will be raising funds for The Brain Tumour Charity in memory of his cousin, Jack Snow, who died in 2020 after a 10 year battle with a brain tumour.
Zac, a managing director at Permission Homes Midlands, is no stranger to tough physical challenges. In 2021, he rowed 21 miles on a rowing machine, to raise funds and awareness of brain tumours.
But he had no experience of running – and has been training hard ever since he found out he had a marathon place.
He said: “I have never been a runner. When I got the phone call in September to tell me I had been selected to run the London Marathon, I couldn’t run a bath let alone 5k – so, to go from there to where I am today, I couldn’t be prouder of myself.
“I am really looking forward to the whole day. The last seven months of training have been the real challenge.
“When things gets tough, I will just remind myself that this is nothing compared to what Jack dealt with and battled through. If he can embrace his challenges with a smile then I certainly should be smiling while doing this.”
Since losing Jack, Zac and his family and friends have raised an incredible amount – over £70,000, almost triple what he originally set out to raise – for The Brain Tumour Charity, which funds research to increase survival and improve treatment options as well as raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms.
Zac said, “Losing Jack really hit his family and friends hard. He was a laid back individual who wasn’t fazed by any challenges he had to face. His sarcastic sense of humour would lighten the darkest of days.
“Jack was a true inspiration to so many. He never shied away from the fight – just like his beloved Millwall FC! He entered every day with a smile on his face and a cheeky comment or two. He was a true fighter and someone we miss every single day.
“The Brain Tumour Charity means so much to my family and Jack. It helped and was there for Jack throughout his illness and this was his chosen charity.”
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