Sutton runner commended for completing marathon despite lung disease (From Your Local Guardian)

Sutton runner commended for completing marathon despite lung disease

3:50pm Wednesday 3rd June 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

Athlete Craig Jones was cheered last week for overcoming the challenges of cystic fibrosis.

Mr Jones, 23, of Sutton, was applauded at the Breathing Life Awards which celebrates the achievements of those living with cystic fibrosis.

He was put forward after completing his dream of running the 2008 London Marathon in 4hr 57mins - an achievement because as a cystic fibrosis sufferer his lung capacity is significantly lower than the average runner.

Mr Jones did not win his category but enjoyed a glamorous evening with celebrities and musical performances and met BAFTA award winning actress Jenny Agutter.

He said: “Exercise has benefited my overall health and I aim to run the marathon again in 2010.

“My ambition is to try and beat my dad’s record of running five London marathons.

“In the mean time I want to push myself physically by competing in a 10k run this year.”

Cystic fibrosis is one of the UK's most common life-threatening inherited disease and affects more than 8,000 people.

It affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus which makes it hard to breathe and digest food.

Each week, five babies are born with the condition and each week, three young lives are lost to it.

Around half of the cystic fibrosis population can expect to live over 35 years, although improvements in treatments mean a baby born today could expect to live even longer.

The Breathing Life Awards is the highlight of the the CF Trust's calendar.

Shown on television for the last six years, the evening has become the CF Trust's flagship event and attracts a host of celebrity guests.

• Got a great story for us? Let us know by email here, phone the newsdesk on 020 8330 9555 or leave a comment below.