Lifeboatman ‘Myrtle’ set for London Marathon
Lyme Regis Lifeboat helmsman Martin Croad in training for the London Marathon. Photo by Richard Horobin - Credit: Archant
Lyme RNLI helmsman loses four stones and quits smoking as he gets in shape for the big race
Lyme Regis Lifeboat helmsman Martin Croad is in serious training for the London Marathon - after giving up smoking and losing four stones.
Better known as ‘Myrtle’ by his RNLI colleagues, he is running up to 50 miles a week as he gets in shape for the event on April 21.
He won the chance to take part in the race in a draw staged by members of the Axe Valley Runners.
‘Myrtle’, 33, said: “I was smoking 15 cigarettes a day until I gave up two years ago and I weighed 16-and-a-half stones.
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“I joined the Axe Valley club and now I weigh in at 12stones 3lbs.
“I had given up football and I just piled on the weight.
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“I really wanted to get fit, and although it has not been easy I am delighted with the result and the chance of a lifetime to run the London Marathon.”
Martin’s target is four hours for the course, and he is hoping to raise money for the RNLI and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance.
Any donations can be sent to the RNLI shop on the Cobb at Lyme Regis or to the Lifeboat Station, The Cobb, Lyme Regis, DT7 3JJ, for the attention of the lifeboat treasurer, John Dover.
