A VALLEYS man is flying home from Australia to run the Newport Marathon.

Lynn Williams, 53, will run the marathon on October 28 in aid of organisers, Diabetes UK Cymru.

Brought up in Blackwood and educated at Pontllanffraith Grammar School, Mr Williams settled Down Under in 1998 and works as a software support engineer in Sydney, where he lives with his partner Jess and whippets Morgan and Mindy.

“When I heard Diabetes UK Cymru were organising the Newport Marathon, I decided to combine running it with a trip home to see my mum, who is 82 and now lives in Usk,” said Mr Williams, a former triathlete.

“Diabetes has great personal significance for me. My dad, who died two years ago, had Type One diabetes since 1955.

“Bearing in mind the limited scientific knowledge available on the disease at that time, it was a fantastic achievement for him to live to the age of 78.”

The off-road marathon, starting and finishing at Rodney Parade, will take runners past Newport Castle, the Fourteen Locks, the Transporter Bridge, the new University, the Riverfront Theatre and along the River Usk.

People can also opt to do a half marathon course on the day.

Diabetes UK Cymru is appealing for runners to sign up to raise funds to support the one in 20 people now diagnosed with diabetes in Wales, including 7,800 in Newport.

Volunteers are also needed to help with marshalling the event.

Entry is £30. To register for the Newport Marathon, or volunteer at the event, e-mail wales@diabetes.org.uk or call 02920 668276.