London Marathon: Norwich doctor running for Crohn's patients

A paediatric consultant said he was "thrilled" to be running the London Marathon for Crohn's & Colitis UK.

Dr Marco Gasparetto, from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, specialises in inflammatory bowel disease and works closely with young people impacted by the condition.

The annual 26.2 mile (42km) event takes place on 20 April.

Dr Gasparetto said he felt "very excited" but also "terrified" by the iconic endurance challenge.

He said: "[Friends and colleagues] all tell me the people will make it happen on the day, I just need to run and somehow it is going to happen.

"It's been intense training wise, there's been a few long runs. I know I can run 20 miles, I'm not sure if I can run 26, but I'm [feeling] very positive about it."

Dr Gasparetto said he had been completing long training runs at weekends for the past four months in preparation.

He said Crohn's & Colitis UK was "an amazing organisation" he felt inspired to support after seeing so many "children and young people who are affected by this condition".

He said: "It is a condition of the bowel, so you don't see the majority of the symptoms from the outside but it can really affect their quality of life and day-to-day activities."

Dr Gasparetto is one of 160 runners for the charity who are collectively aiming to raise £250,000 and have so far raised reached £190,000.

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