Shropshire livestock farmer Mervin Mullard, of Mainstone, competed in the Shakespeare Marathon, in Stratford upon Avon, to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
The South Shropshire NFU member swapped his wellies for trainers on 26 April, the same day as the London Marathon, for the run, which he said was to mark two deeply personal milestones.
“I took part to celebrate my 80th birthday, which was earlier this year, and to remember my beloved wife, Patricia, 10 years after her passing,” he said.
“When Patricia was ill, I ran my very first marathon with the hope of achieving a ‘good for age’ place in the London Marathon.
“Sadly, she wasn’t there to see me cross the finish line in London and I haven’t run a marathon since.
“Macmillan nurses provided outstanding support and compassion during Patricia’s illness and I wanted to give something back to help others facing similar journeys.”
He completed the 26.2 mile route, that started from the middle of Shakespeare’s birthplace, in five hours, 21 minutes and 24 seconds.
Mervin’s daughter Jennifer also completed the marathon, encouraging him as he chalked off the miles.
The grandfather said while he had hoped to cross the finish line in under five hours, the hot weather had really taken its toll on the day.
“Now, reaching this significant age I decided it was time to do something meaningful again, both in her memory and in gratitude for the incredible care we received.”
Mervin Mullard
Hot on the heels
“I must say it was fun until mile 18 and that’s when the heat really started to have an impact,” he said.
“There was just no shade and nowhere to hide from the sun.
“Up until that point I had been on course for under five hours but it was just too hot.”
A few years ago during the 35-mile Montgomery Canal Triathlon, Mervin crashed his bicycle but still managed to complete the course despite being injured but he has always carried on with his charity running and not been deterred.
Before Stratford, Mervin’s last competitive race for charity was the Great North Run and he has always put his running success down to his farming roots.
“I have always trained well and try to stick to a healthy, balanced diet which includes being powered by some great British produce including dairy, eggs and, of course, beef!”
His grandchildren were cheering him on from a distance - his grandson Conan has pedigree ewes and some Wagyu beef cattle, while granddaughter Nikita and her husband Tom have a suckler herd of pedigree beef shorthorns.
"We were all thinking of him"
Ed Garratt, NFU Shropshire county adviser, said: “Mervin is quite the gentleman, and his charity fundraising efforts are just brilliant.
“Farming keep you fit and there’s not better tonic for me than being out in the great British countryside with the cattle and sheep.”
Mervin Mullard
“I know this race meant a lot and we were all thinking of him.
“He said his time this year might even get him in the London Marathon 2027 and I know he’s not ruling that possibility out!
“Well done Mervin on all that you do.”
Mervin’s Just Giving page can be found at www.justgiving.com by searching for his name on the website