THE director of sport at Terrington Hall School, near Malton, has launched his training for April’s London Marathon, which he is running in memory of his father-in-law.

Mark Langley, 39, has completed his second five-kilometre run in preparation for the race on April 13 which he is running as a tribute to Colin Barrass, who died of lung disease in December, 2011.

Mark ran Edinburgh’s BUPA Great Winter Run 5k event on January 11, having completed the Great North Run last September.

But illness prevented Mark, who has never competed in a full marathon before, from participating in York’s Plusnet marathon last October.

“I was really disappointed to have to pull out the week before the York Marathon but it made me even more determined to get into the London Marathon. I’m aiming to raise £1,750 for the British Lung Foundation.”

“So far, thanks to the generosity of family, friends and work colleagues, I’ve already raised more than £500, but now the fundraising starts in earnest.”