Ex-soldier’s salute to grandmother

Mr Rayner, of Normanton, Wakefield, a former lance corporal with the Royal Logistic Corps, lost his grandmother Flo Goodwin to lung cancer.

He ran the Leeds 10k in her memory to raise money for Wakefield Hospice which helped care for her.

“In 2003 my grandmother died of cancer and they really looked after her well and that’s why I am running for them,” he said.

Mr Rayner, 36, who now works as a gas engineer, said he has always been keen on keeping fit and training since he was aged about 10 years old and the event gave him the opportunity to test his fitness as well.

Before the race he admitted to one or two nerves as he had never taken part in a charity event before.

Mr Rayner said he had been doing plenty of training prior to the event and had also been inspired by Jane Tomlinson’s achievements.

“I think she motivated people to get involved,” he added.