AN ambition to get fit after years of neglecting his health inspired Gary Mulhern to take up distance running. At the turn of the year he also took a major step by joining Fairlands Valley Spartans and recently clocked a personal best for a half marathon,

AN ambition to get fit after years of neglecting his health inspired Gary Mulhern to take up distance running.

At the turn of the year he also took a major step by joining Fairlands Valley Spartans and recently clocked a personal best for a half marathon, finishing in 1hr 42mins.

Now Mr Mulhern, 31, of Middlesbrough Close, Stevenage, is training even harder and counting down the days to the London Marathon.

Having been born with partial hearing, a problem forcing him to wear hearing aids in both ears, and an illness his daughters also inherited, Mr Mulhern decided to try and raise £1,000 for a hearing charity by running his first marathon.

An executive with the Allied Irish Bank in London, Mr Mulhern said: "Running was a way to get fit again after years of neglecting my fitness.

"I played football at school but in your teens you find something else. Then it is the beer and the good life and the body gets unfit.

"I just felt it was time to get my body fit again so I took up running and liked it and never looked back.

"I joined Fairlands Valley Spartans at the turn of the year and they are a great club. I enjoy running for them and the training nights twice a week.

"My family, wife Julie and daughters Ciara, six, and Naomi, five, have been very supportive and will be there cheering me on.

"I know a marathon is a big step up from a half marathon but I am raising money for Hearing Concern, a charity that is very close to my heart, so I will complete the race and raise as much money as I can."

Anyone can support him on www.justgiving.com/garymulhern