A weightlifter who works in Mildenhall will put a different sort of effort in on Sunday as he looks to complete his first half marathon.

Eastern Daily Press: Weightlifter Matthew Kennedy, who works for Acas in Mildenhall, is training for a half marathon. Picture: CONTRIBUTEDWeightlifter Matthew Kennedy, who works for Acas in Mildenhall, is training for a half marathon. Picture: CONTRIBUTED (Image: Archant)

Matt Kennedy works as a helpline advisor at the east of England branch of Acas, which is based in College Heath Road.

Having been a weightlifter for many years, Matt was challenged to run a just kilometre but could not finish.

Now he hopes to complete the Cambridge Half Marathon on Sunday (March 5) in aid of Cancer Research UK.

He said: “I began to train, small runs at first to build up some cardio fitness then long runs. It was painful being quite a heavy chap. My training now consists of three 5km runs a week and two long runs, 10km on a Tuesday and between 12km and 18km on a Saturday. I have got fitter and faster.”