A Sandbach dad is running the London marathon next weekend - to raise money for the primary school he attended and where his two children are pupils.

Avid runner, Gareth Hassall, has trained all over the world for his big race next Sunday and will do a long run this weekend in preparation.

The 38-year-old has fond memories of his days at Elworth Hall Primary School in Sandbach and wants children there to benefit from his passion for running.

Gareth doing the Sandbach 10K in August

Gareth, a regional education manager for a hair company, travels all over the world with his job and has been training in America. He did the Sandbach 10K in August. 

"I ran in Central Park while I was in America for work. I've also run in Norway and Slovenia as well as nearer to home," said Gareth.

A member of Train Fitness Studio in Sandbach, Gareth is up at the crack of dawn to fit in an exercise class before starting work.

And this weekend, he and a friend are running to Nantwich and back as preparation for the London Marathon.

He has set up a JustGiving page for people to make donations https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gareth-ElworthHallRun?utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_transactional_--_donation_received_--_nth_donation&utm_content=266839f2-a63d-4c2e-a81d-f412b083640b&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postoffice&utm_term=1663685001154&fbclid=IwAR0B3ssG6HICTrRSxKgQ0Kb5Xb4XPkmjpeZcFbocofc_ZqdwqRHsaWWJqq0

"This is my first marathon," says Gareth. "It's on my bucket list and is always something I have wanted to do.

"I'm setting myself a target of finishing between four and-a-half to five hours and I'm looking forward to doing it."

Gareth's children, Harry (10) and Olive (8) both attend the school in Lawton Way and Gareth will be running the marathon in a T-shirt with the Elworth Hall School Association on.

Sandbach Nub News wishes Gareth all the best in the race with his final training this weekend.