One charity run has led to another for a hotel manager who is now the town’s marathon man.
Simon Cotton, general manager of Harrogate’s Best Western Cedar Court Hotel and president of Harrogate’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce, recently ran the half marathon the Great North Run, in Newcastle, to raise money for charity.
But he did so well in the event his friends have now persuaded him to run a full marathon.
Simon, who said he could not even run for a bus a year ago, managed to come in the top 16 per cent of runners during the Great North Run.
He said: “This was the first time I had ever undertaken anything like a half marathon in my life and I have to say it was an amazing and exhilarating experience.”
He was sponsored to take part in the event and raised over £3,000 for the Hospital Heartbeat Appeal, which raises funds to buy cardiac equipment for hospitals across Yorkshire.
He has now agreed to run for local charity Henshaws in the Virgin London Marathon in April next year.
He said: “I can’t quite believe I’ve had my arm twisted to do the full marathon. Those who have known me for some time will know that 12 months ago I couldn’t run for a bus!
“But Henshaws is a really worthwhile charity, and one that means a lot to the town of Harrogate, so how could I really say no?
“I really do owe a lot of thank yous to all the people who have so generously supported me.”