Doctors feared Frank Luscott might not walk again after he smashed his foot in an accident 10 years ago, yet he wore the smile of victory when he crossed the finishing line in the London Marathon.
The 53-year-old from Yatton, near Aymestrey, not only conquered the gruelling 26-mile challenge, he also raised£500 for St Michael’s Hospice in thanks for the care a relative received there.
Though Frank only started running last year, he has vowed to be back for the 2011 marathon when he will be joined by his 17-year-old daughter, Kayleigh.
She was there with her sisters, Stacey and Nicola, and mum Lorna to cheer Frank on as he completed the course in a respectable time of four hours, 15 minutes and 37 seconds.
He decided to present the money raised in sponsorships to the hospice in thanks for the care his wife’s grandfather, Tom Roberts, received in the last days of his life.
In preparing for the marathon, Frank notched up a 19-mile run to Ludlow and back, though he has huge praise for the help and support of Croft Ambrey Running Club which he joined in May 2009.
He failed to get a chance when he entered the marathon ballot himself, though thanks to his running club he got the green light.
Frank’s tip for those who fancy their chances at running the marathon is to join a running club.
“You get loads of tips and advice that way,” he says. “If you don’t train properly, then it would be a devil of a job.”
He was also grateful for one suggestion: “The trick is to put your name on your tee-shirt – it really helps when other runners call out your name.”
Back in 2000, doctors said Frank was lucky to be walking after a bad fall when he was working for former Herefordshire Council contractors, Jarvis.
His love of running comes at a price. “My running is not entirely painfree, I have minor injuries in my right leg which is an inch shorter than my left leg,” he said.
However, he has his sights set on doing the marathon in Athens – where it all started – and he’ll be back in London next year.
