Simon Danczuk, MP for Rochdale, looks set to be a part of history this April as 16 constituency leaders are signed on to race the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon.
With the current highest being nine MPs taking to the start line in Blackheath on race day – in 2014 – this year looks set to be a record-breaking one with the highest number of female MPs signed up, the first ever knighted Member of Parliament set to run in Sir Kevin Barron, and Hannah Bardell the first Scottish National Party runner.
Mr Danczuk is no stranger to the marathon having run it last year, and was part of a recent MPs breakfast at Portcullis House to allow the novices and experienced alike to share training stories, inspiring tales and get hints and tips from expert coach Martin Yelling.
With this year’s race exploring the theme of documenting everyone’s ‘Reason to Run’, Mr Danczuk shared his own motivation and why it means so much to him.
“The Virgin Money London Marathon is a great experience because you’re running through the centre of a great city and you see all the sites from a different perspective,” said Mr Danczuk, who first assumed office in Rochdale following the 2010 general election.
“One of the highlights of doing the marathon is that you get to go around all these great sights right around London for 26 miles plus and see the city from a different perspective.
“Crossing the finishing line, coming down The Mall and realising that you’ve just about managed it is a great experience.”
The Virgin Money London Marathon, which began in 1981, is one of just six Abbott World Marathon Majors and this year received a record 253,930 entrants for the just over 50,000 places available.
In 2016 the race celebrated its one millionth finisher, with the event attracting more than half a million spectators to cheer on the runners.
With personal goals varying from setting a personal best, to just making it to the finish line, Mr Danczuk and his 15 fellow MPs have been pounding the pavement since the turn of the year to ensure they are in peak condition come April 23.
But, like others who have to balance a hectic work schedule with getting the miles in, Mr Danczuk admitted finding it difficult to mix training and work.
“It’s not been going well at all, I need to do more,” the Political Campaigner of the Year 2014 said.
“I did 10k last week and I do the odd 6k but I need to improve. As long as I beat Jonathan Ashworth MP – I’d quite like to get a better time than he does. I did it in 4hrs49mins last time so I’d like to improve on that as well.”
