Leighton Buzzard man completes tenth London Marathon in aid of town charity

Mark Kleanthous, 65, a member of Leighton Fun Runners, completed this year’s race in aid of the charity Leighton Buzzard Mencap, which supports children and adults with learning disabilities and their families.

Mark, who started in the second wave of runners, completed the course in a time of 3hrs 24min 42sec, with a JustGiving page he set up in aid of Leighton Buzzard Mencap currently standing at £181 for charity.

Prior to the race, Mark was featured by Runners World Magazine and detailed how he was aiming to break the 3hr 20min barrier.

Mark has run a total of 126 marathons over the years and earlier this year completed the Cambridge Half Marathon in a time of 1hr 29mins, winning his age category by more than four minutes.

This year’s London Marathon elite races proved historic, with the men’s race the fastest men’s marathon ever, and the women’s race the fastest women’s-only marathon ever.

Reflecting on his experience of being part of the race, Mark told the LBO: “I started in wave two at 9.41am and worked out where I would see the race leaders.

“After covering 13 miles crossing Tower Bridge I turned right along the highway and was surprised to see the lead car and the first five runners going the other way.

“I knew instantly that if they kept up that pace they would break the London marathon course record.

“Back in 1981 the winning time was 2hrs 11 min 48sec and not in my dreams did I believe a sub two-hour marathon would be possible in my lifetime.”

Mark says the secret to his running longevity is taking a natural food supplement called CurraNZ, made from New Zealand blackcurrants.

He says the supplement helps him to maintain pace for longer and he took three on the morning of this year’s race.

Mark is showing no signs of slowing down and has ambitions of completing a 100 kilometres trail running event later this year, as well as racing in the 50th edition of the London Marathon in 2031, when he would be aged 70.

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