A 45-year-old Kent man is fulfilling a New Year’s resolution and running a marathon in memory of his father.

Russell Midgley, a civil engineer from St Leonards Road, Deal, is taking part in the Dublin Marathon on October 31 in aid of the Cardiomyopathy Association. His father, Malcolm, died from the heart condition dilated cardiomyopathy two years ago.

Russell said: “I hadn’t done any real exercise for 15 years but decided on January 2 my goal for the year was to run my first marathon and now it’s coming to fruition.”

In his teens Russell ran for an athletic club in Huddersfield and played local football in his twenties before moving to Deal, but since then he has led a sedentary lifestyle.

He said: “Training has been difficult to say the least and my wife Vicky and three children Joe, Amy and Max all think I’m mad, but are very supportive.

"I have been running up to three times a week and as part of my preparations I did a half marathon in Canterbury in May in less than two hours and the Deal Dinosaur 10K. I’ve been watching what I eat and my weight has gone down by one and a half stone.”

He added: “I’m really looking forward to the Dublin run but am dreading it a bit too.”

Russell is hoping to raise £1,000 for the Cardiomyopathy Association, a charity that offers information and support to families affected by cardiomyopathy.

Around 1 in 500 people suffer from the disease of the heart muscle. It affects people of all ages but is the biggest medical cause of sudden death in the under 35s.

Those who have died from it include presenter Gabby Logan’s brother Daniel Yorath and Manchester City and Cameroon international footballer Marc-Vivien Foe. But if diagnosed the condition can be treated with drugs and surgery.

Russell’s father was diagnosed when he was 61 and died 10 years later. Because the disease is often inherited, Russell has undergone heart checks and to date is all clear.

If you are interested in sponsoring Russell, call him on 0777 3899028. For more information about cardiomyopathy, contact the Cardiomyopathy Association on free phone 0800 0181 024 or see the website www.cardiomyopathy.org