Leo takes on London Marathon Challenge

Leo Atkinson

A Bangor student will be amongst the thousands of runners taking part in this year鈥檚 London Marathon, to raise money for the St John Ambulance.

History and Archaeology first year student Leo Atkinson has a gruelling training programme for the 26-mile race, running 36 miles a week and undertaking cardiovascular training in the University鈥檚 Maes Glas gym.

Leo, 20, from Worcester, is a keen runner who will be fulfilling a lifelong ambition when he takes part in the Marathon in April.

Leo said, 鈥淭he London Marathon is the biggest marathon in the UK and one of the world鈥檚 favourite running events. It鈥檚 something that most runners want to do and I鈥檓 one of them.

鈥淚 love to run, especially long distances and I took part in the Birmingham Half Marathon in 2010. But having not taken part in any events over the last two years, I found myself not running as much as I would have liked, as I had no aim or goal.

鈥淭o run a full marathon has been an ambition of mine and in October last year I saw that the St John Ambulance were looking for runners for the London Marathon and I knew there and then that I wanted to take up the challenge.

鈥淚 have been a first aider and volunteer for St John Ambulance since October 2011. It鈥檚 a fantastic organisation that teaches first aid to both children and adults, some of whom then become volunteers who cover events and help out with the emergency services. The charity relies on donations to carry on their work and give the skills to people that could potentially save a life and that is why I am running for them. I鈥檓 fulfilling my ambition to run a marathon while raising money for a great cause.鈥�

Describing how it felt to hear the news he had been selected to run for the charity, Leo added, 鈥淲hen I received a phone call telling me that my application was successful, I was elated. I could barely talk on the phone!


鈥淎fterwards I did start to feel a bit apprehensive about the training but I can鈥檛 wait to take part in one of the biggest races in the world!

鈥淚 am currently training five days a week, which includes recovery runs, hill runs, tempo runs, time trials and a long run on Sunday. I also go to Maes Glas gym to do other cardiovascular training.

鈥淎t the moment I鈥檓 running 36 miles a week but this will slowly increase over the next two months 48 miles a week. At the moment it isn鈥檛 too hard to fit training in with my studies, but this will probably change as the Marathon approaches. I do get distracted mentally though as the marathon is always on my mind!鈥�

Leo is aiming to raise at least 拢1,625 for the St John Ambulance and has filmed a promotional video to help raise awareness of his run.

He said, 鈥淚 decided to make a video because it鈥檚 a useful tool in spreading the word and it鈥檚 a good way to help with my fundraising. 

鈥淚鈥檓 a bit of a Superman fan and with the new film coming out this year I thought I would base my video on the teaser trailer for 鈥楾he Man of Steel鈥�. I wanted the video to be a bit cheesy but still convey the message of what I鈥檓 doing. The video was filmed by my brother who runs a media production company, JDA Media.鈥�


鈥�    To watch Leo鈥檚 video, go to

鈥�    To sponsor Leo, visit

Publication date: 26 February 2013