Luton London Marathon entrants raising cash for cancer charity

A running club set up to improve the health and well-being of a local community hoped to raise thousands for charity by running the London Marathon.

Members of Luton Lions will be running on Sunday in support of the Children with Cancer charity.

The group, set up in 2017, has raised almost £520,000 for various charities.

Imran Uddin, aged 37, who will run his first London Marathon, trained with colleagues during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, often while fasting.

He said they just had to adapt their training to fit in with the fasting, which included doing some late night runs.

Imran Uddin is taking part in a marathon for the first time and hopes to finish the race

"The first few times (running) during Ramadan was an experience, to say the least, but after the first few, getting adjusted to it, it was okay," he said.

"We tried to time it so we run and as soon as we finish running we open (break) our fast," he said.

"I am really looking forward to it (London Marathon), I just need to push away the nerves."

Mr Uddin said ideally he would like to complete his run in 4.5 hours, but "just hopes to finish. I'm hoping the crowd will spur me on," he added.

Sujel Miah says the club has been raising cash for good causes through its races

Club founder, Sujel Miah, 44, from Luton, said the club was all about fundraising and promoting good health.

"Especially the South Asian community - we know that there are specific health issues - running can alleviate some of those issues," he said.

"It's about our health and well-being, but it's also about our connections with others, friendships, and helping each other along the journey."

The club chose to raise cash for the Children with Cancer charity this year, as it was aware of families who have lost children with cancer.

"Tragically we lost a fellow runner to cancer and it's been close to our heart to help people going through this difficulty," Mr Miah said.

"In terms of honouring his memory and giving something back, we'd like to help children with cancer, as a tribute to all the goodness that he brought and the difference he made to lives of others."

Luton Lions' member Leigh Betts will take part in her third London Marathon to raise money for Children with Cancer charity

On Sunday, more than 30 members of Luton Lions will be running the streets of London.

Leigh Betts, 48, who has been running since 2021, has run nine marathons and will take part in her third London race.

"I really enjoy running, it's good for your mental health, its the community feel - the Luton Lions are amazing to run with," she said.

"The crowds are just fantastic. It's the charity, it's the money what people have donated that just keeps you going. You're just carried along by the day."

Her advice to new marathon runner Imran? "You really have to dig deep- you get to about 18-20 miles, and then that's when the marathon actually starts.

"Because you've done 20 miles in your training - so you really have to dig deep."