THERE’S less than two months to go until the first ever Bournemouth Marathon Festival in October.

Thousands of runners from across the UK and abroad have already signed up for the historic event which looks set to become a highlight of the UK running calendar.

Among those taking part is Bournemouth’s deputy mayor despite suffering a cardiac arrest eight months ago during his mayoral year.

Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts spent a fortnight in the Royal Bournemouth Hospital last November after collapsing at the nearby Littledown leisure centre.

Against all odds, he has already started training for the inaugural Bournemouth Marathon on Sunday, October 6 to raise funds for the mayor’s charities.

He said: “I’m trying to pace myself; the main thing is to complete the marathon.

“I’m eating the right foods and I’m not pushing myself to the limit. I’ve been running an hour at a time and walking for half an hour, once a week.

“I’ve completed 15 marathons but the last one was more than 15 years ago.

“I’m still busy with civic duties but I’ve cut my working hours at Bournemouth hospital.

“Preparation is the key for all marathon runners.

“I have always been very fit and finding out I had a heart condition was a shock.

“I was given the choice of a bypass or stents; I refused the bypass and ended up having 10 stents inserted.”

Cllr Stanley-Watts, who collapsed during his mayoral year, added: “I feel much better but have to be careful not to overdo it; I’ve realised I am not indestructible.

“The care I received at the Royal Bournemouth was incredible and now I just want to give something back to the local community.

“It’s made me even more determined to raise funds for good causes.”

Entries for all events, close on Wednesday September 11 visit run-bmf.com.