A RUNNER from Penarth has raised £1000 and defied all the odds by successfully completing a marathon in memory of his grandmother.

Gareth Mathias completed the Wales Full Marathon despite suffering tendonitis in his knee just weeks before the event.

It meant that his planned training programme had to be scrapped. But he still completed the race in memory of his beloved grandmother and he has already doubled his fundraising target for Marie Curie.

Mr Mathias' grandmother, Gloria Griffiths, died in August 2015 after receiving palliative cancer care at Holme Towers.

He said: "I wasn’t going to pull out of the race because I wanted so much to remember how brave my Nan was and the care she and the whole family received during her final days."

Mr Mathias, who plays for Penarth RFC, ran just 11 miles in his longest preparation run before the event.

He added: "It was a tough marathon. I enjoyed the first dozen miles but after that it was very hard going.

"People encouraging us along the way including my family and girlfriend, Sophie, made all the difference in those final long miles.

"I’m so grateful to those who have sponsored me so far, thanks everyone."

To donate to Mr Mathias' cause, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gareth-Mathias1.