LegionLive

In nearly a week’s time, Nathaniel Mackay will be joining thousands of other runners at the London Marathon. I had a quick catch up with him where he explained why he’s running it for the Legion and talked me through a ‘cheeky’ training technique…

Why have you chosen to run the London Marathon for the Legion?

I grew up in Hong Kong where my family were involved in the Remembrance Ceremony at the HK Cenotaph for a number of years while we were there. I have a  few service connections but most notably a relative who was lost as a result of a torpedo in 1940 on H.M.S. Daring. More currently one of my very close mates is a Captain in the Royal Logisics Corps, thankfully he is currently serving in Chile - we thought it was a nice safe posting in comparison to his Iraqi and Afgan tours but then there was an earthquake…

I’m running for the Legion from an overwhelming sense of debt I believe we owe all the service family. It also keeps the charity’s profile in peoples minds and the realisation that the work goes on all year round and not just during the annual Poppy Appeal.

Have you ever taken on a challenge like this before?

I have never run a Marathon or even five miles before! This has been a massive undertaking and has been a complete lifestyle change.

And I hear you have an interesting training method..?

Well, my most notable training event was an “au naturel” run down a well known street in West London in the early hours of a December morning. It was cut short by the local constabulary who had some stern words, a sense of humour and a lift back to my belongings with a friendly, “on your way.”‘

If you would like to help Nathaniel reach is £2,000 goal you can donate at his JustGiving page.