STRICTLY Come Dancing star Ian Waite is putting his best foot forward in support of Arts4Wokingham, but it’s a mere fraction of what faces two Wokingham runners.
It takes around 55,000 steps to complete a full 26.2 mile marathon, a daunting challenge that Anne Reece and Stuart Ratcliff will take on in Brighton in April.
The pair’s Brighton Marathon challenge will boost charity Arts4Wokingham’s mission to celebrate the town with public art.
To help the runners prepare, Ian, fresh from filming Dance With The Stars in Australia, held an exclusive FitStep training session in Wokingham’s Energie Fitness gym.
Ian said: “I’m totally in awe of what Stuart and Anne are doing to support Arts4Wokingham.
“I’ve never even run a mile, so for them to tackle 26 miles is like climbing Mount Everest for me.
“I think they’re amazing, and if I can give them a bit of energy to help them reach the finishing line, I’ll be happy.
“I advise them to pace themselves – it will help them to keep going.
“It’s why I’m still dancing 20 years after starting my first Strictly Come Dancing series.”
Anne agreed: “There’s a temptation to get a bit carried away, by the crowds and the adrenaline, but the important thing is finishing.”
“It’s my first marathon,” said Stuart.
“We’re reaching 30k in our training, and it’s horrible.
“But we want to be able to say that we helped to get The Arc into Wokingham.”
The Arc is Arts4Wokingham’s first major project.
Designed by artist and designer Nicola Anthony, its impressive steel structure will grace the town, in front of Wokingham’s Carnival Hub.
“The Arc will add an amazing piece of culture to the town,” said Ian.
“We’re raising as much money as possible to make it a reality, and to leave it as a legacy for generations to come.”
Stuart and Anne enjoyed Ian’s exclusive FitStep workshop, a keep fit classes with the added fun of ballroom glides, floats and cha cha chas.
“It was really fun, and surprisingly hard work,” said Stuart.
“I love dancing,” agreed Anne.
“If there was a choice, I’d rather dance than run.
“It’s so important to support the arts; not only works of art, all kinds of creative pursuits that benefit schools and the community.”
As well as public art, Ian would love to see a dance hub established in Wokingham.
“There are plenty of playing fields for football and hockey, but a centre for all kinds of dance would be amazing,” he said.
“Not everyone is sporty, some people are artistic instead, in lots of different ways.
“If I hadn’t had the support of my family, and a platform for dance, I wouldn’t be here today.
“So it would be lovely to give our kids local amenities in the arts.”
Paddy Haycocks from Arts4Wokingham thanked Ian for his dance workshop, and said that he is now one of the charity’s valued patrons.
He also thanked Stuart and Anne for taking the group 55,000 steps nearer to Wokingham’s first piece of public art becoming a reality.
Stuart and Anne, both linked to Wokingham’s énergie Fitness gym, will run in the Brighton Marathon on Sunday, April 7.
To support their JustGiving page, and for more information, visit: www.arts4wokingham.com.
The charity is also keen to hear from local businesses who might want to link their names to The Arc and be declared as major supporters.
For more information, visit: www.energiefitness.com/gym/wokingham, and www.ian-waite.com
