London Marathon 2024: Running the race with my 80-year-old dad
- Published
BBC South Today presenter Anjana Gadgil will be running the London Marathon on Sunday with her father Dev. She tells their story and how he inspired her to take up running too.
When my dad announced he intended to run his 21st marathon aged 80, I knew I would have to run it too.
He first ran the London Marathon in 1997 to raise money for Cancer Research as my mum Celia had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She died in 1998, aged 51.
After her death, he became even more motivated to carry on and has now raised over £50,000 for cancer charities.
"Everywhere I go, people know someone who has either died of cancer or is living with cancer," he says.
"People want to sponsor me and running the marathon has become a bit of a habit."
This year, dad has decided to alternate walking and running the 26.2-mile (42.1km) course.
He says: "Usually I start off running but get cramps in my legs at around mile 14. I'm hoping this year that won't happen."
My dad's efforts inspired me to start running in 2004 and I ran the London Marathon five years in a row with a personal best time of three hours and 28 minutes.
Now, 16 years on, I won't be able to replicate that time but I am looking forward to celebrating my dad's achievements with him on Sunday evening.
Follow BBC South on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2240.