Biker to run marathon in leathers

Mike Taylor, pictured in training, is confident he can complete the run

A biker is preparing to run the London Marathon dressed in full leathers.

Mike Taylor, aged 35, from Rhyl, Denbighshire, hopes to complete the 26.2m (42.1km) course in less than six hours on Sunday, 13 April.

The trainee chartered accountant is hoping the weather does not get any warmer before the big event.

He said: "I am nervous but I've trained in my leathers and I'm confident I can do it. You just have to be sensible and I'll take on lots of water."

Mr Taylor is hoping to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity which supported his mother when she underwent treatment for breast cancer several years ago.

His late mother-in-law also benefited from care from Macmillan nurses when she was taken ill in 2006.

Training run

Mr Taylor, who described himself as a "biker, sadly currently without a bike," ran a 10km (6.2m) race in Llandudno, Conwy, in February and completed the course in 55 minutes dressed in full leathers.

He has also completed a 12m (19.3km) training run in leathers.

He added: "I got some funny looks during that.

"Some people have commented that I must be mad. With less than two weeks to go I am starting to believe them."

He admitted that he had not had medical advice, but wanted to do something a "bit different" and is confident he can complete the marathon safely.

He said: "I think I'd be looking at around four hours in normal running gear at my current fitness level.

"As far as time goes, I think that anything within six hours would be great."

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