Sutton Bridge marathon man preparing to go the distance in Paris

A runner who took up the sport never expecting to complete a full marathon is preparing for his first 26.2-mile distance in aid of charity this spring.

Ed Blundy (46), of Sutton Bridge, will be taking to the streets of Paris on April 13 when he will be raising funds for the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust, this year’s chosen charity of his workplace, Brown & Co.

Dad-of-two Ed took up running a couple of years ago but says he never intended to sign up for a full marathon, despite having completed the half marathon distance 11 times.

“I entered the ballot for the London Marathon, but the chances of getting a place were really low and I didn’t get in, so someone suggested I try and secure a charity place instead,” said Ed, who is a partner and head of the land agency division of Brown & Co, and is based at the firm’s King’s Lynn office.

“Last year we sadly lost a colleague from our Norwich office to a brain abscess, she was looked after by Addenbrookes, so it was a natural choice for us to support it as our charity this year.

“It provided me with a list of events where they still had charity places available, so I clicked on a few and applied and before I knew it I’d got a place in Paris.”

Ed has been fitting training in around work and family life and is looking forward to race day when his wife Mandy, their children Alice and Isaac, and other relatives will be cheering him on in the French capital.

He has been set a target of raising £650 through his endeavours and is keen to secure a few more sponsors to help him meet that total.

“I’m really looking forward to the marathon, but training has been tough, fitting in the longer runs,” he added.

“You really have to plan and fit them in, it’s not just like getting up and doing 10k before work.

“I went out at the weekend to complete 35km and hit the proverbial wall at around the 32-33km mark – but that’s what training is for, so I’ve been looking more into nutrition and hydration.

“I’d love to get round without stopping or walking, whether that’s realistic, we’ll have to see, but I’m looking forward to it and very grateful to everyone who’s sponsored me so far.”

You can sponsor Ed online at justgiving.com/page/es-blundy-1734706188340.