Sky Blues physio Dave Hart prepares to take on the Brighton Marathon for Cancer Research UK
Sky Blues head physio Dave Hart is turning his attention from the players' fitness to his own next month when he takes part in the annual Brighton Marathon.
The 29-year-old takes on the gruelling 26-mile course on the South Coast on Sunday, April 14th in the hope of raising over £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Hart said the charity's work is a cause close to him after his dad Michael, a keen marathon runner himself, was forced to give up his passion after being diagnosed with a sarcoma in his leg five years ago.
"My dad was very keen marathon runner, having done more than 20 in his lifetime, and he was so disappointed when he had to give it up because of his condition," Dave said.
"He will be there supporting me on the day though because it's the first time I'll have attempted a marathon so to have him there will definitely spur me on."
Hart spends his working day helping to keep the Sky Blues' treatment room injury-free and he added he had enormous respect for those that choose to run marathons because of the amount of training and committment it takes to make sure you are ready for an event.
"I've got myself up to 22 miles so far but I've not set myself a target time other than to run as hard as I can for as long as I can.
"I really do take my hat off to people who compete in marathons because the training for it really can and does take over your life to a point.
"I think I'm in pretty good shape though with four weeks still to go before the day so I'll spend that time hopefully working towards my fundraising target, which the players and staff at the club have said they will all donate to as well, so it's something I'm really looking forward to saying that I did."
If you want to contribute to Dave's fundrasing efforts you can make a donation via his Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/davidhartmarathon