A SOLIHULL electrician recognised for his incredible weight loss achievements will take on the Great Birmingham Run.
Dann Sullivan, aged 30, from Elmdon, started his remarkable lifestyle changes after a nurse told him he was medically obese and his size was putting his health at risk.
Dann has now lost 5st 2lbs, going from 16st 12lbs to 11st 10lbs, losing eight inches from his waist and was crowned Slimming World’s ‘Mr Sleek’ 2018 for good measure.
The inspirational father-of-two took part in the Great Birmingham 10K in May.
And he is now in training for his first half marathon, the Great Birmingham Run, which takes place on Sunday, October 14.
Dann explained his physical health is ‘the best it’s ever been’ and this is also helping his mental health.
He said: “When running I get chance to clear my head, to re-focus and to remove stress from work and family life.
“Once I’ve completed any form of exercise, especially running, I get a feel-good factor that I’ve achieved what I set out to do and this stops me eating bad food as I don’t want to undo all my hard effort.”
Dann discovered a passion for running while following healthy eating plans and he says the best thing about being more active is how it’s changed his relationship with his family.
He said: “Just watching my girls running around used to tire me out.
“I honestly believe activity of any kind is an amazing tool to complement a good healthy diet.
“Hearing the nurse say I was obese was a real eye opener, the thought that I was damaging my health and risking not being there for my daughters was devastating.
“Now I feel like a new man. I have so much more energy to play with them and we love going on long family walks with our dog Maggie. I’m much fitter at work too – the only time I ache now is after a long run.”
Entries are now open for the Great Birmingham Run, which starts and finishes in Birmingham city centre and this year reverts to its popular morning start time.
To sign up visit: greatrun.org/great-birmingham-run
