HAVING been dealt the body blow that his newborn son had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, one Hammersmith father started running.
As a way of coping with the devastating news, Jamie Oborne found solace in the streets, outpouring his emotions with each metre and every mile.
Now two years later, the record-executive will once again take to the streets of the capital - this time competing in the London Marathon to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, a charity close to his heart since the birth of Otis
The 37-year-old, said: “Shortly after my son was diagnosed, when he was just a few weeks old, I started going running at night as I was at a bit of a loss.
“I found it pretty amazing, helping me to escape from the pain I was feeling at the time.”
“As someone who had never really run before, I found myself gradually getting further and further, as far as I could before I couldn’t run any more.
“I figured it would be better to have a target, so I emailed the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and they gave me a place.”
Despite a bout of jet lag, the doting father completed last year’s marathon in just over four and half hours, raising a staggering £19,000.
Impressed by his efforts, the trust offered him the chance to run again in April.
The Brackenbury Road resident said: “Running has very much become a part of who I am, so when they approached me again, I was more than happy to say yes.
“When I finished the last one it was pretty amazing and very emotional.
“During training one of the things that kept me going was the knowledge that for some of these kids, every day is a marathon. So when you compare it to that, it is nothing.”
When April 22 comes around, Mr Oborne, a record executive, will be cheered on by his wife Jane, four-year-old Kitty and Otis.
To sponsor Jamie Oborne, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/jamieoborne .
