Joined at the Pip

Twenty-five daring colleagues will be looking on the bright tied of life when they take on a marathon world record challenge in support of Llandrinodod Wells delivery office manager, Phillip ‘Pip’ Morgan, who was recently diagnosed with throat cancer.

Colleagues from depots in Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and the surrounding areas, including 15 postmen and women, will be attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to complete a marathon while linked together.

The Wales Marathon takes place on Sunday 7 July at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

Following Pip’s diagnosis, his colleagues were left so devastated that they decided to take on the highly unique challenge in aid of Cancer Research Wales.

Led by Pip’s friend and colleague of more than 10 years, Brecon delivery office manager, Neal Gardner - who previously broke the same world record in 2009 at the London Marathon, when 30 runners were tied together - the team is now aiming to beat the current record set in 2017 involving 112 people.

‘We’ve been blown away with the response to this challenge so far with more people signing up to take part all the time,’ said Neal. ‘Some of these people have never even run a 10k but they’ve been inspired to take part because of Pip and the great work that Cancer Research Wales do.

‘Pip is bonkers; he’s so happy-go-lucky and he wouldn’t think twice about jumping on a bike and cycling 120 miles. That’s just him. He’s always been incredibly supportive of me with my job and this is my way of thanking him and showing our support during a really challenging time.

‘Around 50 of us taking part know and love Pip and we’ll be doing our best to support this lovely man. Everyone else in the team has been affected by, or had loved ones affected by cancer in some way too, so this is a really personal cause which is close to many of us.

‘We hope to raise as much as we can for Cancer Research Wales to show Pip just how much he means to everyone.’

With the aim of raising around £70,000 for Cancer Research Wales, Neal has secured 120 places to date, with 30 yet to be filled.

‘We’re asking any keen runners, or those who simply want to take part, to get in touch and sign up,’ he said. ‘This will be an unforgettable event for an absolutely fantastic cause. It really will be a once in a lifetime event so please sign up and join us.’

Cancer Research Wales, fundraiser, Dale Evans, said: ‘The money they raise will make such a huge difference to the lives of thousands of people diagnosed with cancer across Wales annually, and we truly can’t thank them enough.

 ‘I will be joining them for the world record attempt, and I look forward to crossing the finish line by their side. Everyone associated with Cancer Research Wales wishes them the very best, and would like to thank them for helping us fight for a Wales without cancer.’

If you would like to take part, please email neal.gardner@royalmail.com or call 07841 787 682. For further details visit www.cancerresearchwales.co.uk/crw_events/walesmarathon/.