A SCHOOL headteacher is taking on “one of the toughest races in Britain” for his first-ever marathon attempt.

Ysgol Pentreuchaf head Gethin Thomas, 42, is hoping to raise around £1,500 to install a public access defibrillator in Pentreuchaf, to help ensure the health and wellbeing of residents in the village, by running the ruthlessly demanding Snowdonia marathon this weekend.

The unique route, which encircles Wales’ most prominent peak Mount Snowdon, will see Mr Thomas tackle the biggest running challenge of his life.

“On 28 October, I shall be running the Snowdonia Marathon – 26 miles along the dramatic trail around Snowdon,” he said. “The money collected will go to install a defibrillator in the old telephone kiosk at Pentreuchaf.

“The defibrillator will be an invaluable and central resource for the village itself including the wider community and the local primary school.

“Every year 8,000 people in Wales experience a heart attack outside of hospital. The current rate of survival is less than 10 per cent.

“The chances of survival can increase significantly when a defibrillator and cardio-pulmonary recitation (CPR) are used within 10 minutes of the attack.

“A percentage of the money will also go towards another community asset – the Cylch Meithrin/nursery in the area.

“Everyone has been so kind and supportive so far. I’m very grateful for all of the donations received, they really do help motivate me.”

The 42-year-old was nervously excited about his upcoming challenge.

He said: “I’ve never ran a marathon before. Maybe I should’ve started out on an easier one.

“I’ve been training hard since January, though. I’ve run well over 800 miles and I’ve completed a few longer runs.

“It’s going to be tough – especially the 1,500ft ascent at the 22-mile mark – but I think I should do it, I hope so anyway!

“A defibrillator would be good news for the whole community, especially as we’re such a rural community and those first few minutes are so vital.”

For more information, or to donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/defibrillator-pentreuchaf