Twickenham college lecturer ro run London Marathon in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Trust (From Your Local Guardian)

Twickenham college lecturer ro run London Marathon in aid of Cystic Fibrosis Trust

2:10pm Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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An ambitious runner will complete his sixth long-distance run in seven months – despite suffering from a potentially life-threatening lung disease.

Rob Lake, 29, has already completed a marathon in a bid to raise £10,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, a charity which is trying to find a cure for the condition he suffers from.

Now, the lecturer, of Hampton Road, Twickenham, will be taking on a challenge closer to home – the London Marathon on April 25.

Dr Lake, who teaches sports science at St Mary’s University College in Strawberry Hill, polished off the Great North and South runs and the Chicago marathon last autumn and finished the Sussex Beacon half-marathon last month.

That leaves the Hastings half-marathon on Sunday before hopefully crossing the finishing line in the capital to clock up 101 miles in total.

He said: “Just because you have cystic fibrosis it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it.

“I know it sounds corny but I’m running for those with CF who can’t run.”

Cystic fibrosis is a potentially life-threatening inherited disease of the lungs and digestive system which claims three lives a week in the UK.

Dr Lake, who is hoping to complete his third London Marathon, said an added benefit of running is that regular exercise is important in treating his disease.

As well as training for his mammoth running schedule, he plays basketball two or three times a week and says that his general fitness has greatly improved.

Surprisingly, he also finds the races easier than the training.

He said: “The crowd will help and it should be a great day.

“It’s harder forcing yourself to get out of bed on a Sunday morning.”

And he certainly doesn’t rule out further marathons in the future.

He added: “I’m sure I will do more. I enjoy the experience and it gives people an excuse to donate money and gives me an excuse to ask them to do it.”

To sponsor Dr Lake, visit justgiving.com/supersix101.