AN Aberystwyth lecturer has completed a marathon in memory of his sister.

Ian Archer travelled to Bruges earlier this year to complete the run of a lifetime and raise money for a charity close to his heart. 

It was the 54-year-old’s first marathon and he also raised more than £560 for the charity Bowel & Cancer Research.

“It was really good. The crowd support was fantastic and it was well organised,” said Ian, who lives in Cnwch Coch and works at Aberystwyth University.

“Thankfully everything went right for me. I got ahead of the four-hour pacer and thought I must be on target. I finished in 3hrs 54mins – I’m very happy with that.

“It wasn’t easy but I didn’t hit a wall. I just kept the same pace. Everyone shouts your name and that keeps you going.”

Ian’s wife Julie took her bike along to Belgium and kept up with him, along with two friends, Lou Hardinge and Ailsa McWilliam.

His friends Simon French and Simon Warner were running the half-marathon at the same time and were there to cheer him at the finish.

“It gives you a real boost when you see someone you know and love in the crowd. It all helps,” said Ian.

He chose to support Bowel & Cancer Research because his younger sister, Lynn Archer-Huntley, lost her battle with bowel cancer in 2011 when she was just 42, leaving her husband and 11-year-old son.

“She was the most genuine, likeable person you could wish to meet,” said Ian.

Anyone who wants to support Ian can do so at www.justgiving.com/fundraising­/ian-archer-marathon

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