A TEACHER is set to run the distance of a marathon up and down one of Colchester’s notoriously steep hills in memory of his dad.

Tim Ballard, 36, will be taking on the challenge as part of the virtual London Marathon 2020.

He will run to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK in memory of his father Michael who lost his battle with the disease ten years ago aged 64.

As the world famous race cannot go ahead this year runners were asked to take on the 26.2 mile run wherever they are.

Mr Ballard, from Lawford, decided to use Balkerne Hill as his location for the challenge.

He said: “Balkerne Hill is one of the steepest well known hills in Colchester and the running community often use it for training, but usually only for a few miles at a time.

“I don’t think someone has run a marathon on a local hill before so this could be a first.

“The total elevation gain from running up and down the hill over 26.2 miles is about 4,500ft. For comparison, The Shard is about 1,000ft high, Mount Snowdon is 3,559ft.

“I think it will take me four to five hours.”

Mr Ballard, a teacher at Suffolk One in Ipswich, had originally secured a marathon place known as a good for age entry.

It is given to runners if they have previous run a marathon in less than three hours, with Mr Ballard having done so at the Manchester Marathon last year.

He added: “26.2 miles of running up and down a hill sounds crazy to most people and I hope that will encourage people to donate to a good cause.

“My dad passed away from prostate cancer ten years ago and as a result, I am deemed to be two and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer myself.

“I would like to raise awareness of prostate cancer and support Prostate Cancer UK because they are funding vital research into early detection and treatments that could save thousands of lives.”

Halstead Gazette:

Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with more than 40,000 new cases diagnosed every year.

Mr Ballard, who runs four or five times a week, has been using his lunch breaks and the stairs of the Suffolk One college get his training in.

The dad-of-two has also been swimming with his family to prepare for the big day.

And Mr Ballard is no stranger to daring sporting challenges.

He has already completed the Saltmarsh 75, a two day 75 miles ultramarathon, in which he came first.

He also ran 100 miles in under 24 hours at the Suffolk Trail Running Festival.

“The London Marathon is known for its fantastic atmosphere and, as it’s not possible to recreate that virtually, I’m making it more challenging to make it memorable and worthwhile,” he said.

Halstead Gazette:

“The delay and cancellation of the London Marathon, and many other fundraising events, have hit charities particularly hard as they rely on these type of events to provide their services.”

Mr Ballard will take on the challenge on October 4.

To donate to his fundraising appeal, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TimBallard.