A CARDIGAN father of two has completed seven full marathons, in excess of 20 half marathons and the Iron Man in Tenby last year.

But in 2008, at the age of 28, Russell Williams suffered a heart attack.

This worrying episode in his life has made him more determined to live life to the full. This year, he will enter the Iron Man for the second year running and hopes for a better time.

“I enjoy running and the marathons have just been a progression from my usual training. I quite like the achievement feeling of running four to five hours,” said Russell who is an AA Roadside Patrol Officer.

Russell says that his heart attack has made him more aware of the importance of keeping healthy and active, and that his whole family has a different attitude to life.

He said: “Suffering a heart attack so early in life has given me the attitude that I have nothing to lose. What’s the worst that can happen? That I have another heart attack? What will be, will be and I can’t change it.”

Russell will run the Iron Man in aid of the Princess Gate Trust and hopes to raise around £1,000.

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