A WREXHAM runner is taking on his maiden marathon to follow in the footsteps of his grandad. The Chester Marathon marks the final step in electrician Ryan Merrill's mission to complete the 2024 Chester Triple Medal. All this is for a cause close to Ryan's heart - Nightingale House Hospice.
Ryan's challenge will be in memory of his late grandad Kenneth Merrill, who was cared for by the team at the Wrexham hospice. Read more: Charity's chain of shops braces for business boom ahead of fashion campaigns This year Ryan, 28, has already completed the Chester 10k and Chester Half Marathon - with October 6's marathon the final step in his Triple Medal mission. With a goal of three hours and 30 minutes, Ryan said: "I haven't done any marathon races before, this will be my first so I am slightly nervous but I have completed a handful of half marathons and a fair few 10ks.
I have been putting the training in so I'm confident I am going to complete it. "My motivation for running Chester Marathon was finding out my grandad was a keen runner back in his younger years and he completed a handful of marathons himself, so I thought there was no better way than to follow in his footsteps and raise some money along the way. Read more: Tom's North Wales half marathon fundraiser in mum's memory "My grandad, who we sadly lost in September 2022, wasn't in Nightingale House for long but we were grateful for the hospice in the time he was there and also the support we received after.
"Nightingale Hous.