After completing 100 marathons in 100 days back in April last year, Mr Loddy, from Kings Langley is keen to get on to his next endurance challenge for the New Year and has decided to complete a marathon month.
The scaffolding firm boss of Watford Road will run across England and Wales in 30 days, visiting Teenager Cancer Trust units along the way in memory of his former colleague Phil Latham, who died of stomach cancer in 2010, aged just 36.
He hopes to raise £100,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust and St Francis Hospice in Berkhamsted.
Mr Loddy said: “This is all about raising money, and running across England and Wales will hopefully raise awareness of the teenage cancer trust.
“I was keen to keep my running up and haven’t completed consecutive runs since June, so it has been quite tough but I am planning to just take it steadily.
“I had my first blast of running on Christmas day and ran 27 miles, and having trained all this week it is a reminder of just how hard it is.
“I am looking forward to enjoying the journey.”
The 47-year-old will set out on his long distance endurance on March 23 from Edinburgh and will cross the finishing line at the London marathon on April 21 to mark the end of his 30 days.
Along the way Mr Loddy will visit Glasgow, Newcastle, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, Warrington, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Birmingham, Cambridge, Cardiff, Croydon, Brighton, Southampton, Bristol, Cardiff and University College Hospital London.
He will be joined by his father, Tom Loddy and friends who will join him in parts of the run.
Despite his last feat of running more than 2,600 miles from the Algarve, Portugal to the finish line on The Mall in 100 days, Mr Loddy insists this new challenge although less miles ‘will be just as hard, if not harder’.
He said: “A few people have asked me why I have decided to do less this time round but I think this challenge is going to be harder because I know what to expect, which is daunting.
I also think it is important to visit all the teenager cancer trust units.
“I think this challenge is going to be harder because I know what to expect, which is daunting.
“I plan to take one step at a time and one marathon at a time.” Mr Loddy reached the finishing line of the London Marathon last year in three hours nine minutes and this year hopes to beat his record in less than three hours.
Again waiting for him at the finish line will be his wife Karen, 47, and daughters India, 21, and Jemima, 17.
This year, Mr Loddy is also encouraging people to join him in parts of the run, in ‘Run a mile with Matthew’.
To book a slot contact Jan Maddern on 01442 289999 and to donate visit www.frameworkfoundation.co.uk.
Source: www.watfordobserver.co.uk
