By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
A successful Southport business owner plans to run THREE of the world’s major top marathons this year has revealed how losing over 10 stone has given him the wings to take on his ambitious challenge.
Gareth Johnson is one of the owners of Just Wings, which is famous for its freshly prepared authentic Buffalo style wings and American catering.
The determined dad-of-two is stepping up the pace as he prepares to run the London Marathon on 27th April; the Berlin Marathon on 21st September; and the New York Marathon on 2nd November.
His two children, Hunter, aged three and Scarlett, aged 11, will be cheering him on every step of the way.
Not content with that, Gareth is getting ready to complete his first ever Great North Run on 7th September.
And he’s also planning to jump out of an aircraft at 11,000 ft in a charity skydive for Queenscourt Hospice on 22nd June!
Gareth raised £20,000 for the hospice, which cares for patients in Southport, Formby and West Lancashire, in 2024.
The 42-year-old has already completed his first target this year, with a gruelling challenge in the US.
Gareth said: “This year I’m really going for it, and I’m really grateful to local people and businesses for their amazing support.
“Three years ago, my children inspired me to lose weight, and to get fit.
“I have lost nearly 10 stone through dieting, making better eating choices, doing more running, and getting active.
“I decided to lose weight after my son was born. I feel so much better – and very different.
“I am 6’ 2’’ tall and always felt I carried weight well, but the changes have been brilliant.
“Now, I have more energy, and can run a lot quicker, and I can play a lot more with my kids.
“I love playing golf with my daughter, who is an extremely talented young golfer.
“In January I completed the ‘Dopey’ challenge at Disney World in Orlando in Florida.
“The ‘Dopey’ Challenge was to run 48.6 miles over the Marathon weekend which included 5k on day one; 10k on day two; a half marathon on day three; and a full marathon on day four.
“Yes, I had to be Dopey to do it!
“But I was determined to raise as much money as I could for some incredible charities; Prostate Cancer UK, Queenscourt Hospice and the NMDP Circle of Hope, which is a cancer charity.
“I had never even run a full marathon before that event, and only one half marathon in the past!
“The challenges are coming up thick and fast now. Next up I have three full marathons in London, Berlin and New York, the Great North Run and the skydive for Queenscourt.
“I really want to challenge myself this year – and this certainly will.”
Gareth is taking on the events to support different charities which are all close to his heart.
He said: “There are six major marathons in the world, and I am lucky to have secured places to compete in three of them this year.
“I have been given some fantastic support from several local businesses, and will be wearing their logos on my running tops and on my flag.
“I have space for more companies to get involved if anyone would like to contact me.
“I’ll be running for some incredible charities: The Salvation Army UK, Alzheimer’s UK, Queenscourt Hospice, Prostate Cancer UK, and Get Kids Going. The fundraising commitments for these spots are quite significant.
“One of my inspirations for running for charity was to do something for my grandad, Roy Craft, a veteran who sadly passed away last year after years after a battle with Alzhiemer’s.
“I really wanted to do something in his memory.
“I made a promise to my mum, Andrea – she is the absolute rock of our family – who cared for him right up to the end.
“Luckily, I was given the Berlin Marathon place to run for the Alzheimer’s Society charity.
“Sadly, there is a massive amount of families who have been affected by Alzheimer’s.
“I have set up a JustGiving page for the Berlin Marathon here: Gareth Johnson is fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research UK
“Instead of me managing multiple JustGiving pages, I’m reaching out to inspiring local businesses for sponsorship to give amazing companies the chance to be a part of my journey.
“You can support me by sponsoring either per race at £75 or for all the races for a total of £200. In return, I’ll display your company logo on my race gear and feature a large flag at the finish line for photos.
“Your support would mean so much to me and these charities and the belief in their causes. If you have any questions or would like to chat further about this, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
“I would love to be able to raise £10,000 this year.
“It is going to be a long year! But hopefully a very rewarding one for all these good causes.
“It is going to keep me out of my wife’s hair at least!”
Gareth’s wife, Victoria Johnson, will be doing more than that – after Gareth talked her into running the New York marathon with him.
Gareth said: “She probably wants to kill me! My wife has never run more than a 10k run before, but she has agreed to run the New York Marathon with me, which will make it really special. I’m so proud of her.”
● If any businesses would like to sponsor Gareth, please email him at: gareth-johnson@hotmail.co.uk or message him via LinkedIn.
The fantastic businesses kindly sponsoring Gareth so far include:
Just Wings
Synergy Max
Communications Plus
Rebecca’s Jewellers
GNW
Metrorod
Priority Recruitment
Ormskirk Accounting
Baz Todd Entertainment
Windowcare
Buildcare
Birkers Bar
Birkdale Financial Solutions
Ben Keen Tree & Gardening Services
Nationwide Catering
P A Joinery and Building
Custom Welding Services
Ben Carter Electrical
Radwraps
Lloyd & Co
Propertypac
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