A man from Savile Town will this April be running the London marathon and help raise funds for a children’s charity after being inspired by an article in Paigaam a few years ago.
Imran Patel will be part of a group of six men from the town aged between 37 and 53 who will be running to raise money for the ‘Get Kids Going’ charity, which helps disabled children to become more active in sports and activities.
Imran told Paigaam he was a big curry eater and over weight, but a story in Paigaam motivated him, Imran said, “My first inspiration and motivation came when I read an article on the London marathon by Paigaam a few years ago, (about another local man running the marathon) I thought to myself I will do this some time in my life.”
In March 2013 he decided enough was enough and took a proactive measure to address his weight and general health.
“I first started walking for a few weeks and then slowly built up to a jog, I was 17.5 stones at the time. By June I was running 15 miles a week. I had lost 2.5 stones by July.” Imran told us.
Everything was going swimmingly, but the month of Ramadhan brought a stop and the return of the dreaded weight he had fought so valiantly to lose.
It was enough to challenge anyone’s will power but Imran decided to start again and in September 2013 he met up with local businessman Aziz Patel, who had already ran the marathon in recent years.
Aziz told him about the Get Kids Going charity and Imran found a new determination in raising Money for less privileged children. Hard work and training have transformed the 17.5 stone 37 year-old to a much healthier 13.5 stone athlete. Imran runs around 7 to 8 miles three times a week and a further 13 to 15 miles every Sunday. As well as going swimming and performing cross fitness routines.
The inspired runner has now become an inspiration himself, running the Bradford half marathon last October and the Blackpool Marathon last month.
It’s not just about the marathons, Imran told us of the difference the training has made, “You feel better when you are healthy and it makes a big difference in your lifestyle. There’s more energy and you feel happier.
“Running the London Marathon for charity is the goal that has kept me going and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Imran, along with his five comrades, will be running the 26.2 miles in the London Marathon on 13 April.
