The Alzheimer’s Society is to get a boost to its funds to the tune of £750 thanks to the head of North Wales Polices’ Imaging unit.
St Asaph based Kevin Clark ran the Great North Run at the weekend and made his run quite snappy completing the gruelling course in one hour 41 minutes, knocking 12 minutes of his best time. He finished an impressive 2,688 out of the 50,000 competitors who ran.
“I found this year’s race a lot easier, but it was probably because I knew what to expect!” said Kevin. “The Great North Run is one of the hardest courses – you feel as if you are constantly running uphill! The atmosphere and the support you get from bystanders however is absolutely brilliant – it just helps to motivate you.”
The 43-year-old from Anglesey has run the course previously. Sunday’s event was his fifth time but this year he decided to run for another charity – one which is very close to his heart.
“Over the last couple of years my Dad had been slowly suffering with memory loss and was being treated for early dementia,” said Kevin “This time last year he took a turn for the worst and was rushed into hospital with what at first doctors thought was a brain tumour. It turned out to be a stroke, which has only added to the dementia issues. He has been in hospital nearly all the time since last October.
He added: “More research is needed into the causes and treatments and that’s why I decided to run for the Alzheimer’s Society. Running thirteen point one miles or so is nothing compared the pain of not being able to remember.”
To date, Kevin’s efforts has already seen him raise £750 and money is still being donated. However for Kevin, Sunday’s run was not the last – he has already been back on the road training ready for this Sunday, September 26, when he will don his trainers yet again for the Anglesey 10k race.
Kevin added: “I would just like to thank my family for all their support especially my wife who helped out at the Alzheimer’s tent at the finish and my daughter who collected loads of donations and all who have made a donation, I believe it is a really worthwhile cause that supports so many people .”
