On Your Marks: Fellow cricketer 'Bazza' is taking up a similar challenge
I know a fair few people who have done marathons but my awareness has been broadened and it seems I know more people who do runs and events for charity than don’t!
And this week I noticed fellow cricketer Liam Barrett was doing the Brighton Half Marathon at the end of February.
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Hide AdSo I decided to catch up with Bazza, as he he is affectionally known, to see why he took up the challenge.
The 29-year-old groundswork foreman/supervisor, said: “I decided to do the Brighton Half Marathon while sat in a digger at work listening to Heart Radio who mentioned the race, and I texted in not thinking anything of it.
“They phoned me up asking me to be a part of team Heart.”
Liam is taking up this event while also getting ready to marry fiancee Samantha.
He said: “With my wedding coming up in May, I thought it would be a good idea to get fit and lose some weight at the same time.”
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Hide AdHe added: “I have never done anything like this before and think it will be a good experience.
“I am finding, training is tough but key for an event like this.”
Liam, who moved down to Crawley from Halifax five years ago, said: “ I started training in November even though I hadn’t signed up for the Brighton Half Marathon at this time.
“A few of the lads back up home are into their running and do ultra marathons and things so I have been asking them for little bits of advice - even though they think I am taking the mick and don’t believe me that I am actually running it!
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Hide Ad“I really struggled with the first few weeks of training and really didn’t enjoy it.
“But I am quite lucky that I have always been naturally quite fit, even though my physique says otherwise.
“But now I am up to the 11 mile mark in training I feel comfortable and enjoy the training.”
So is this the start of many a marathon for Bazza?
He said: “I am not sure if it is a one off or I will look at other things.
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Hide Ad“It depends how motivated I can keep myself without having a race to work towards.”
Liam is raising money for Global, a charity which helps deprived children and families less fortunate.
You can sponsor Liam by visiting his fundraising page at brightonhalfmarathon18.everydayhero.com/uk/bazza-the-barrell-is-doing-brighton-half-marathon/wizard/share