Introducing Liam Marston. With dad Glyn’s enthusiasm for running, it was only a matter of time before son Liam quite literally, followed in his father’s footsteps. Liam began running seriously at the age of 14 when he started accompanying Glyn to the beginners evening his father had co founded at Sneyd Striders Running Club. Although never accepted as a full club member, Liam quickly showed potential and was soon running 3 mile training runs at an impressive pace.

Like his father before him, Liam showed instant great determination to compete despite also having to cope with autism. As a result, it was imperative that Liam receive exactly the right kind of guidance and training particularly in the early days so who better to give it than Glyn himself.

The training regime was strictly monitored and Liam quickly improved to a level that rivalled some of the more experienced runners not least Glyn whom he could give a run for his money when it came to the sprint finish. Initially mum Ann was concerned that Liam was just running to please his father but when she saw his own enthusiasm and the confidence running gave Liam, she was quick to support in every way possible. It wasn’t long before Liam was ready to compete in his first 5Km race which was in Sutton Coldfield.

Liam completed the course in 35 minutes raising over £50 pounds for the charity Cure Leukaemia. This was quickly followed by the Chasewater 5Km completed in 29 minutes and then went onto to enter the Walsall 10Km race, the maximum distance for a boy of his age. This he completed in an impressive 54 minutes beating his very proud father to the line in the sprint finish.

He repeated the run a year later and has also recently been instrumental in creating the first time target in the 7 day Team Treadmill event in London. Glyn continued to train Liam until earlier this year when he was forced to quit running through injury. For Liam it also seemed like the end of the road as his father’s retirement meant there was no one to carry on Liam’s training at Sneyd owing to age restrictions.  However, believing sport to be for all, Glyn pursued every avenue possible on his son’s behalf until he found a new club to take Liam on and he now trains at Cannock and Stafford AC where he also has the opportunity to explore other athletic opportunities such as long jump. With Liam’s potential and the right support, the aim is high. To one day represent his country in competitive running and with the Marston spirit, there is no doubt he will succeed.