Lindfield runner to take on 52 marathons in a year

Craig Lovelock, 40, from Lindfield, has only run two marathons, both in longer than four hours, and used to smoke.

But he has taken on the charity challenge because he believes he can do it.

“I’m doing it just for the accomplishment really and because I think I can,” he said.

“I’m hoping to run much quicker now, I’m not smoking now and barely drink alcohol.”

He doesn’t have a training regime, but runs almost every night.

“I don’t have any set distances or routes. It’s just how I feel at the start,” he explained.

So far Craig has signed up for Zurich, Blackpool, Prague, Halstead, Riga, Copenhagen, Singapore, Siem Reap Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Kuching in Borneo and Malaysia marathons.

Craig has run marathons in Borneo and Auckland.

He is raising money for St Catherine’s Hospice in Crawley.

Craig continued: “St Catherine’s have been great, very supportive and I’m glad I chose them. I’ll be proud to run all 52 for them.

“They supply specialized end of life care for its patients and their families. A lot tougher than my challenge.”

He is paying for all the flights, accommodation and entry fees for the trip himself, so all money raised will go to the hospice.

Craig continued: “I enjoy running and travelling south east Asia so I’m not really dreading anything.

“Although there’s a comprehensive marathon race calendar in Thailand, where I plan to do a lot of my runs, they’re a bit scratchy with the details, dates and venues,” he said.

“If I don’t find out in time it’ll be expensive to have to fly to elsewhere in Asia, Australia or New Zealand.”

Craig trains and lives in New Zealand, where he works as a commercial painter.

He is returning to Lindfield for four months on April 3, and is searching for painting or manual work to help fund his charity challenge.

He was unable to raise the £1750 charity funds for the London Marathon and £500 for Brighton, so he is beginning with the Blackpool marathon on April 26.

So far Craig has raised £378.

To sponsor him visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/craiglovelock