David Martin-Jewell, 47, owner of Front Runner Events, our partners in the JCP Swansea Half Marathon, has swapped his running gear for some wheels and cycling shorts to raise funds and awareness for Diabetes UK in our UK Wide Bike Ride.
David, whose teenage son Louis lives with type 1 diabetes, covered 652 miles and raised £643 in April. This amount was well above his initial targets, as he discovered the joys of cycling in South Wales.
David said: “Covid-19 has been devasting for sport and we had to postpone all our events. Charity fundraising has been badly hit, affecting the funding of research and support for people, but also because these events inspire people to run, to get fit and socialise. I felt I wanted to do something positive. I don’t usually cycle, it’s never been my sport, so the UK Wide Bike Ride was a big departure for me. I couldn’t run due to an injury and started cycling in lockdown in 2020 and now I absolutely love it. I have a group of friends I cycle with and feel my fitness improved and being out and about has helped me enormously and see more of Swansea and the Gower. It has also helped me maintain my mental health during the pandemic.
David set up Front Runner Events in 2013 and has worked closely with us to grow the iconic Swansea race, which has been described as “flat, fast and scenic”. It was voted the best half marathon in the UK in 2017 & 2018 and is Wales’ biggest and best Summer race.
Diabetes UK Cymru’s National Director, Dai Williams said: “We think it’s wonderful that David has taken to cycling as well, as we are encouraging people to mix it up: walking, running, cycling and swimming are all great outdoor activities to keep fit and in good mental health. We’re really proud to work with Frontrunner and One Bloody Drop to enlist type 1 runners to Swansea and can’t wait to see them all running together”.
The event broke world records in 2019 with 69 runners with type 1 diabetes, the highest number to ever compete in a marathon.
If you want to participate in the UK Wide Bike Ride in September 2021, register your interest here.
To enter the Swansea Half taking place on 17th October, register here.
