Warwickshire lawyer chases next running challenge with Stratford 10k

Ian, who is a legal director in the Real Estate group at Stratford-based law firm Lodders, will run the Stratford 10k on Sunday 29 September alongside a team of 18 runners from Lodders, which proudly sponsors the event for the fourteenth consecutive year.

The popular road race shows everything that Stratford has to offer with a finish line going past the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Race organisers Tempo Events have selected The Time Out Group as the event’s charity partner again this year. Based in South Warwickshire, the charity aims to provide specialist support to children with disabilities and their families.

Having been a runner for over 15 years, Ian took on the Castle to Coast Triathlon on 20 July to test his physical and mental fitness. The challenge took him all the way from Dorney Lake near Windsor to Brighton Sea Front. The challenging course starts with a 1.2-mile lake swim, then a 66-mile bike ride from Windsor to Hassocks, followed by a 14-mile run from Hassocks to Brighton.

“I had been running for a long time but after turning 50 last year, I wanted to commit to something a bit more challenging!” Ian explains. “Castle to Coast is dubbed as a ‘half Ironman’ and took many months of training to prepare for. The run was the toughest - the ‘stairs of doom’ in Brighton, consisting of 120 steps, were particularly brutal. Thankfully, I managed to finish the race in 11 hours and 9 minutes.”

“Running is great for both your mental and physical health.” Ian continues. “It also helps build self-discipline, particularly when it comes to getting up early to train on dark winter mornings! I’m aiming to tackle a full Ironman next year, but first, I’m looking forward to getting some training in at this year’s Stratford 10k.”

Of Lodders’ backing of the Stratford 10k and half marathon, partner in the firm’s Real Estate group Steven Baker, who has led Lodders’ participation since 2010, says: “Here at Lodders, we are delighted to continue our support for the Stratford 10k as its principal sponsor. As fitness fans and supporters of the local community, this event is always a key fixture in the firm’s calendar. We’re looking forward to raising funds to support the vital work of The Time Out Group whilst hopefully securing the corporate team shield for the third year in a row!”

For more information and to register for the Stratford 10k and half marathon on Sunday 29 September, visit: www.tempoevents.co.uk/events/stratfords-big-10k/