Jake in 38-mile tribute run for grandad

FLASHBACK to Jake's marathon effort last year

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A GRANDSON is preparing to take on an ultramarathon in memory of his grandfather.

Jake Allingan, 20, will run a 38-mile distance between Oldham and Liverpool football stadiums, in aid of Mind and Mesothelioma UK.

The Warwick University student previously took on a 15-and-a-half-mile remembrance run after his grandfather Michael Allingan, 73, died from an aggressive form of mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer.

Accompanied by family members he ran from his home in Halifax to his nan's house in Moorside last July.

This time he will take on an ultramarathon on Friday, March 17, with 10 fellow members of his university football club.

Jake said: "Mesothelioma UK is especially close to my heart as my grandad passed away last summer after suffering from this form of cancer while Mind is close to the heart of another club member Joe Weston.

"Joe and his family have been personally affected by mental health issues and so we are desperate to help Mind by increasing awareness of this problem."

The pair will run their chosen route from Boundary Park, the home ground of Oldham Athletic FC who Jake supports, and Anfield because Joe is a Liverpool fan.

Jake added: "We thought this would be a great way to symbolise the causes which this ultramarathon is being done in support of."

The university club trains four times each week which the students hope will stand them in good stead as they aim to complete the run within 12 hours.

Jake said: "I'm a bit nervous about it but also really excited - I think my biggest worry is that I will miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the same day.

"Google Maps estimates it should take us just over 12 hours if we walk continuously so I think we'll have to do a fair bit of running to make up the time that we want to."