27 April 2010
Radio DJ takes the rough with the 'smooth' as he takes on the Virgin London Marathon for The Prostate Cancer Charity
Smooth Radio DJ, Mark Goodier, pounded the streets of London on Sunday as he tackled his first ever Virgin London Marathon for The Prostate Cancer Charity, after losing his father-in-law to the disease.
Former Top Of The Pops legend, Mark, 48, joined the Charity's 195 strong team as he raced 26.2 miles across the capital to raise vital awareness of a disease which kills one man every hour in the UK.
Mark made it to the finish line in a respectable three hours and 45 minutes – well ahead of many of his celebrity counterparts – and joined the Charity and its team of runners at the post event celebrations for a well deserved massage and cup of tea.
Reflecting on his first London Marathon experience, BBC One Radio and Smash Hits Radio DJ, Mark explains: "It was such an honour to run the London Marathon for The Prostate Cancer Charity. My father in law died from prostate cancer and it has always bothered me that, had he known the symptoms and what to do about them, and had his doctor spotted them early enough, he would still be with us today. Those thoughts kept me determined not only to finish the marathon, but to do what I can to make sure that I do what I can to make men and their families aware that prostate cancer can be such a treatable condition if it is caught early enough. If more people are aware of this, they will hopefully be spared the sadness of the untimely loss of a loved one.
“It was my first attempt at the London Marathon. I’m a half marathon guy really and I didnąt really think I was 100 per cent ready for it. I made sure I kept taking on energy and a little water all the way round and while I donąt think I hit a wall, I certainly needed to use all of my efforts to get to the finish without stopping. And despite the tired leg muscles today, I am far from regretting doing it. It’s a wonderful event... Bring on next year!"
To take part in a running event for The Prostate Cancer Charity, contact Pauline Angus on 020 8222 7134 or email pauline.angus@prostate-cancer.org.uk
ENDS
Interview and Photo Opportunities
To interview Mark or any of the Charity's 190 other runners, please contact Kate Cowling on 0208 222 7645. Pictures of Mark running the Virgin London Marathon are available on request.
Notes to Editors
For further information contact: Vivienne Francis, Nikki Nagler or Claire Blackburn on 0208 222 7136/7670/7687. Out of hours contact: 0798 432 5001. Email: Vivienne.Francis@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Nicola.Nagler@prostate-cancer.org.uk or Claire.Blackburn@prostate-cancer.org.uk
Mark Goodier
Mark Goodier was born Zimbabwe and grew up in Scotland. He now lives in north London with his wife and three children. Mark has been a radio DJ for several BBC Radio One programmes, including the Breakfast show and the Top 40 and he also presented Top Of The Pops for one year. Mark currently presents Smooth Radio London (102.2) mid-morning show.
The Prostate Cancer Charity
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK. Every year in the UK 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. One man dies every hour of prostate cancer in the UK.
African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is striving for a world where lives are no longer limited by prostate cancer. The Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front - through research, support, information and campaigning.
If you have any queries about prostate cancer, call The Prostate Cancer Charity's confidential Helpline 0800 074 8383 which is staffed by specialist nurses and open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Wednesdays from 7 - 9pm or visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk