The countdown is on for two members of staff at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital who will be taking on the Virgin Money London Marathon in a few months’ time.

Performance Manager Mark Lowe and Admissions Team Leader Karl Bailey are currently hard at work training for the 26-mile race around the capital which is taking place on Sunday 26 April.

The 2020 RJAH London Marathon team will be raising money for the RJAH Charity – who fund state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, which provide extra comfort for patients and support staff in delivering world-class patient care.

A total of 17 people will be running around the streets of London on behalf of the Oswestry-based hospital in an effort which is likely to raise more than £25,000 for RJAH.

This will be Mark’s first marathon after he successfully completed the Couch to 5k programme last April.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in the London Marathon and supporting RJAH – it’s not only my work place but also many loved ones have had treatment here over the years.

“To help with my training I have an 18-mile run and a few 10ks in the pipeline for the coming months.

“I’ve also passed the £1,000 mark for my fundraising. I recently visited the Darwin Group, who are also my sponsor, where I spent the day as a brew butler, serving hot drinks and cakes, where I raised £545.”

To take part in the London Marathon, runners pledge to raise at least £1,500 for the RJAH Charity.

Karl, who has run one marathon before, is aiming to cross the finish line in under four hours.

He said: “I’m excited to be taking part in the London Marathon and running past the iconic landmarks in the capital.

“I completed the Chester Marathon a few years back, and crossed the finish line in three hours and 43 minutes – I’m secretly wishing to beat that time, but I will be happy with anything under four hours.

“I had a very generous donation to my fundraising from an ex-football team, which gave me a massive boost, so I’m about a third into my fundraising target now. I also have a charity race night and quiz night planned for the next couple of months.”

If you would like to support Mark or Karl, you can do so via their JustGiving pages:

If you’re interested in taking part in the Virgin Money London Marathon for RJAH, please visit: www.rjah.nhs.uk/marathon.

Pictured: [from left to right] [hi-res copy attached]: Mark Lowe, Performance Manager, and Karl Bailey, Admissions Team Leader, gearing up to take on the 26-mile race around the capital.