Thirty-year break from London Marathon is over for B&B owner and grandfather

This Sunday's London Marathon will mark a return to the event after over 30 years away for a Banbury guest house owner.
Steve and Alan Round, London Marathon runners from Banbury. NNL-160419-105102009Steve and Alan Round, London Marathon runners from Banbury. NNL-160419-105102009
Steve and Alan Round, London Marathon runners from Banbury. NNL-160419-105102009

Alan Round, 68, who owns Fairlawns bed and breakfast, on Oxford Road, has fought through injury and even a wound he sustained after being gored by a bull in Spain to train for this year’s event.

He will be doing the run with his son, Steve, who is doing his sixth marathon. Alan Round last did the marathon in 1985. They are both running in aid of NSPCC.

Father-of-two Steve Round said: “My father has managed to get through his training to get to the starting line for his first marathon in all these years.

“During that time he has kept very active and he ran five or six marathons in the 1980s, but from that point onwards he has picked up small injuries and has broken his pelvis.”

Alan Round was also gored by a bull when he was on his way to use a public toilet while on holiday in Spain.

Speaking about the marathon, Steve Round said: “The atmosphere is just really addictive. I ran it last year and you can’t beat the crowds.

“My father has been down to watch and cheer and has been really jealous, but he’s finally got a place.

“Nothing is going to stop him this time.”

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