Father of two Allan Baldwin, from Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, to run TCS London Marathon for Breakthrough T1D diabetes charity

After trying in the ballot for 12 years, a roof tiler from Bury St Edmunds has achieved his dream of securing a place at ‘the marathon’ of all marathons.

Allan Baldwin, 52, a father of two from the Moreton Hall estate, said he was ‘thrilled’ but also ‘a bit apprehensive’ about taking part in next month’s TCS London Marathon.

The self-employed roof tiler said he had vowed ‘never again’ after his last Brighton Marathon, but London would ‘definitely’ be his last.

“I did a marathon in Brighton three years ago and finished on my hands and knees and I promised I would never do it again,” he said. “I sort of decided to have one last go.”

He added: “Everyone grows up watching the London Marathon on a Sunday morning. It’s always referred to as ‘the marathon’, the one everyone wants to do.”

Allan, who has completed several half marathons before and the Brighton Marathon twice, said his brother-in-law Stuart King had managed to get into London in 2012, but he failed to do so – and he has been trying since.

As it is a ballot place, Allan said he doesn’t have to raise money for charity, but he had chosen to support Breakthrough T1D, a type 1 diabetes charity, due to personal connections.

His nephew Harry Baldwin has been diagnosed with the life-altering illness, and also one of his daughter’s friends has received a diagnosis.

Allan has already well exceeded his target of £1000 for his chosen charity, with the fund-raising boosted by a recent race night at the Moreton Hall Community Centre that he held jointly with his long-time friend Adie Doe, who runs Adie's barber shop.

Allan said he was ‘blown away’ by the support from the community on the night.

Allan and Adie, who is running the London Marathon for Kidney Care UK, will travel to the capital together on the Saturday and go to the starting line together.

“I genuinely believe, and I have heard such great things about London, that the crowds give you that lift, especially in the latter stages, and will get me round,” said Allan. “Getting through the last five/six miles will be very tough.”

Allan, whose training is going to plan, said his wife Rachel, their two children, Maisie and Charlie, and friends would be coming down to support him.

He is aiming to beat his personal best of 4.31 from his last Brighton Marathon.

“This will definitely be the last one,” he added.

To donate, visit Allan’s fund-raising page.

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