BACK to Hockey sessions at Redditch Hockey Club proved the inspiration for Brockhill resident Russ Baldwin running this year’s London Marathon.
Russ has not always been an exercise fanatic. In fact, his journey to fitness only began last May when he agreed to join his daughter Louisa at a Back to Hockey session at the Bromsgrove Road club.
Quickly rediscovering his love for the sport after a break of nearly 25 years, Russ realised he needed to be much fitter to play league hockey, so began the NHS’s Couch to 5k programme to improve his stamina.
By the start of the hockey season in October, Russ was fit enough to win a place in Redditch’s fourth team and he continued to lengthen his runs and was confident enough to accept an offer from the charity Genetic Disorders UK to run the London Marathon on its behalf.
Russ crossed the finishing line six seconds ahead of another more famous 48-year-old, Adam Woodyatt, aka EastEnders’ Ian Beale.
Adam started the race 30 minutes before Russ, but stopped for interviews and an ice-cream, allowing Russ to catch him just before the finish line!
Russ raised more than £2,400 via his JustGiving page for Genetic Disorders UK, the charity which organises Jeans for Genes Day and supports the parents of children with genetic disorders.
Redditch Hockey Club are running a new Back to Hockey programme later this year and will release information about sessions in the summer.
