Bristol couple fighting fit and ready for Bristol Half Marathon challenge
Mr Cashin, 32, is in training with his partner Sarah Johnson, 30, and the couple are in the final stages of preparation for the race on September 6.
As well as ensuring they can make their way around the 13.1-mile course the pair, who live in Cotham, are hoping to raise as much as possible for their chosen charities – Bristol-based St Peter's Hospice and CLIC Sargent.
With the support of top running coaches, and former Olympian Nick Rose, the pair have improved their running technique and are now able to run for longer at a faster pace. They have even seen a difference in their clothes, with Mr Cashin shedding 17lb.
Ms Johnson, who works for NHS corporate services, said: "We have been to Horfield leisure centre and used the gym and swimming pool a few times now. Marcus broke his record on the treadmill there and reached six-and-a- half miles.
"Nick has been really informative and has been a great help for motivation and technical knowledge he is very approachable and friendly, full of enthusiasm and has loads of great tips for novice runners.
"We have also really noticed a difference in our fitness levels, when we go out running we are running for longer and at a quicker pace. The other night we went for a seven-mile run and Marcus was motivating me to keep going. In April he was struggling to complete a mile on the treadmill."
Mr Cashin said their efforts were now turning to a final fundraising drive. Because the couple are competing against each other for sponsorship they have set up two websites – www.just giving.com/sarahjohnson17 for St Peter's Hospice and www.justgiving. com/Marcus-cashin for CLIC Sargent.
He said: "Sarah is running in memory of her friend Sharon who died from cancer but spent her last days in the hospice in Brenty.
"I thought I'd raise for the other official charity, CLIC Sargent. We need all the help we can get."
Other competitors for the Bristol Half Marathon can pick up some final tips by attending RunBristol's final evening workshop. The free workshop is on Tuesday, August 11 and top coaches Bud Baldaro, Bob Ashwood and Nick Anderson, who have worked with many leading UK athletes, will lead the session.
Registration is at 6pm at Coombe Dingle Sport Centre, Coombe Lane, Westbury-on-Trym. From 6.30pm to 7.30pm there will be a practical training session on a measured grass loop covering pace workouts and repetition at half-marathon pace. The training session will be followed by an hour-long discussion and question and answer session with the guest coaches.
There's still time to run in support of the half-marathon's official charities St Peter's Hospice, CLIC Sargent and CoCo. Visit www.stpetershospice.org.uk, www.clicsargent.org.uk or www.coco. org.uk to find out more.
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