Thatcham store manager to run Siberian marathon

John Gladwin from Yeoman Outdoor Leisure is one of only two English competitors in the August run

A THATCHAM manager will be one of only two Britons to compete in a marathon in Siberia next month.

John Gladwin, aged 38, who works at the Yeomans Outdoor Leisure at Thatcham Garden Centre, will run the 26.2-mile course in Omsk on August 6.

As a keen and experienced runner, Mr Gladwin completed the 10-mile Great South Run in 2009.

He found out about the Omsk race through a Russian friend after he mentioned that he wanted to tackle a longer distance.

Despite being Russia's only certified international marathon, the Siberian International attracts very few foreign competitors.

Mr Gladwin and his friend, Stuart Warren, said that, as it stands currently, they will be the only English competitors.

Mr Gladwin said: “It is all very exciting.

“Stuart and I have been training hard and hope to give a good account of ourselves.

“I'm excited and nervous.

“We watched the London Marathon and one guy collapsed after 20 miles.”

He added that the temperature in Omsk in August could reach 40oc.

Mr Gladwin is running the marathon in aid of Kidney Research UK as his mother suffered kidney problems about five years ago.

He said that when his mother was 70, she became seriously ill and it was only then that the doctors realised she had lived her whole life with only one kidney.

He added that it came as a shock to her family but that he had been prepared to be a donor.

Mr Gladwin gave up alcohol and started getting into better shape, but his mother decided against the surgery and now has dialysis three times a week.

Recalling hearing about his mother's diagnosis, Mr Gladwin said: “We were really shocked.

We thought she just had a bad back.”

The marathon falls on the same day as Omsk's founding day celebrations.

Mr Gladwin said: “Apparently the crowds really get behind the runners.

“I cannot wait – it's going to be fantastic.”

Yeomans Outdoor Leisure is sponsoring Mr Gladwin by providing him with kit.

He is aiming to raise £1,000. People can sponsor him by logging on to www.kidneyresearchukevents.org/gladwij