An amazing dad has beaten all the odds to finish his 52nd marathon in 52 weeks.
Justin Malin of Twyford was left with a broken breastbone (sternum), whiplash injuries and bruising in a car smash just 36 hours before he was due to make his last run.
He called off the marathon on September 24.
Despite his aches and pains he still turned out that day to thank his supporters at Stanlake Meadow, Twyford and tell them the run was postponed.
Then, amazingly, just 12 days after the crash, he went off to finish his challenge.
“I wasn’t in a particularly great frame of mind after the crash, it was just 36 hours before I was due to complete the runs.
“To have that taken away from me… I couldn’t cope with the fact I’d got so close and could not do it,” said Justin, a pricing director.
“Twelve days later I decided I would do it. It was just three days before the end of the 52 weeks. I had back spasms and a barrel of bruises.
“I was so anxious the day before I did it, I couldn’t wait. It was such a heavy weight on me, I had to do it. It meant so much to get it done.”
He made two loops of Hurst, Dinton Pastures and Woodley from Twyford. One loop was with his daughter Eva who works for Make-A-Wish UK, the charity Justin’s year of runs has supported. The other loop was with his wife Lucy.
He praised his family’s support.
“When I finished the 26.2 miles I put out the news and had so many congratulations. The support from everyone has been fantastic,” he said.
“I’m not particularly well, but I did a fast walk. My wife was asking why we had to go so fast. I took paracetamol and ibuprofen, stopping at Tesco at Woodley to get an extra packet.
“My sternum doesn’t feel too bad. It’s like having a painful clamp round your chest. It’s permanently uncomfortable rather than really painful.”
Justin has raised more than £6,000 for Make-A-Wish. The total will be doubled by his employers Volante in London.
You can donate using this link https://justgiving.com/fundraising/Justin-Malin
Following the collision, Thames Valley Police said that Rupert Woodhouse, aged 47, of Glebe Lane, Sonning, was charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle while was above the limit for alcohol. He has been bailed to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on October 27. He suffered minor injuries.
