Racer goes the distance

11:47am Thursday 20th March 2008

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DEVOUT Mormon David Day who, because of his beliefs, does not like to run competitively on a Sunday, organised his own marathon on Saturday after failing to find one that was not held on the Sabbath.

Mr Day, 38, a music teacher at Corsham School, and a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints in Bath, organised and ran the marathon with the support of 20 of his friends to raise money for Cancer Research.

His friends ran between six and 13 miles so Mr Day ran the remainder of the distance by himself. He completed the 26.2 miles in four-and-a-half hours and he hopes all of their efforts will raise at least £1,000.

Mr Day said: "I decided to organise my own marathon as I couldn't find any events that took place on any other day than Sunday, as I didn't want to run on Sunday due to my religious beliefs. The only place where an event was on a Saturday was in Scotland and that's a bit far to travel.

"This is my first full marathon. Last year I set myself the challenge of half a marathon so this year I decided to do the full thing. I couldn't find anyone else mad enough to run the full marathon with me."

The runners followed the route of the Bristol to Bath cycle track and, when the others finished their distances, Mr Day jogged on alone with only his brother, Matthew, 34, cycling next to him for support.

He chose Cancer Research UK to be the sponsorship charity through friends' suggestions and with the success of Running with Angels, which his church organised last year for Cancer Research UK, raising £6,000.

Mr Day, who lives with his wife, Louise, 35, and three children Harriet, ten, Megan, eight, and Reuben, four, said: "There are several families affected by cancer within our church community and the closest person I know is the mother of two girls who died of terminal cancer earlier this year. The girls ran in memory of their mum."

Sarah Balloch, 27, and Amanda Nursey, 21, live at Stickleback Road, Calne and lost their mum Sheila Nursey to cancer in January.

Mrs Balloch said: "We ran the Running with Angels last year when mum was ill but to run this half marathon was a really moving experience where we felt close to her. My sister was really emotional throughout the marathon.

"To be able to run a marathon that will raise money to fund research for cancer is amazing."

Mrs Nursey, 62, had moved in with her two daughters in 2007, from Keynsham, after she was diagnosed with the cancer.

She had been misdiagnosed several times with a number of ailments, even depression.

Mrs Nursey eventually saw another doctor who sent her for a scan, showing a brain tumour that had gone unnoticed for 15 years, leaving it too late to operate.

Mrs Balloch adds: "I think if there had been the funds for the research my mum needed then maybe she would have been diagnosed in time to save her."