Newbury runner powers through the pain

The 26.2 mile run can be agonising at the best of times but David Livings, aged 25, powered through the pain to complete his first marathon in three hours 46 minutes to raise funds for the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust.
He said: “At 13 miles, I was fine. I was on one hour 40 minutes and I was buzzing – then I felt my calves go tight and heard the muscles rip.
“The paramedics offered to get me a stretcher, but I was determined to keep on going, so the rest of the race was a mixture of jogging and hobbling.
“Running the marathon was, without a doubt, the hardest thing I have ever done and I am so grateful for the support I have received.
“I was lucky enough to see my family at six miles, at 18 miles and at the finish line, so that really helped.”
Mr Livings, a business improvement analyst for Sovereign Housing Association, was helped with his fundraising after receiving a 50 per cent funding pledge from Bloor Homes, which has an office in Hambridge Lane, Newbury, and where his sister Emma works as a sales negotiator.
Also running for the trust was Sovereign facilities manager, Jeremy Mardles, who completed the run in four hours and 27 minutes.
He said: “So much of it is psychological. You have a lot of time to think and, of course, both of us were thinking about what everyone has done to support us. We were determined not to let anyone down,” he said.
The pair have raised more than £6,000 for the charity so far and funds are continuing to come in.