A BASINGSTOKE couple are set to achieve their dream of running the London Marathon after losing a combined weight of nearly 19stone.

On top of achieving their weight loss targets, Ruth and Tim Mortlock will be in the national team of 12 Slimming World runners on Sunday, October 2, after losing 18stone 13½lb.

Ruth and Tim are raising money for Cancer Research UK, one of Slimming World’s official charity partners, as well as aiming to increase awareness of how keeping a healthy weight and being active improve people’s health and help reduce the risk of some types of cancer.

Tim decided to lose weight in February 2018 and discovered their local Slimming World group in Kempshott was within walking distance of their home.

The day before heading along he asked Ruth to join him for moral support. While initially reluctant, she’s since admitted that this was the best decision they ever made.

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Insurance underwriter Tim, who turns 44 on race day, says walking through the doors of the group for the first time was nerve-wracking.

He said: “We received such a warm welcome from our consultant at the time and the other members though, and soon, realised we didn’t need to feel anxious. We really enjoyed our first group and something just…clicked! We knew we were in the right place to get the support we needed to lose weight for good.

“It’s been four years since we joined and we still love to go to our group each week as the support from everyone has been brilliant, every step of the way. In fact, a few of the members have caught the running bug and joined my running group too.”

As the couple lost weight and grew in confidence, they decided to explore Slimming World’s Body Magic physical activity programme, which helps members to embrace active habits.

The couple got started by walking and found that the more they did, the more they wanted to do. Tim began running and built up to a weekly Park Run and Ruth quickly followed suit by completing Couch to 5k, then joining Tim on Park Runs.

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Finance administrator Ruth, 44, said: “When I joined Slimming World, I struggled to walk any distance without stopping for a rest and a sit down. I was out of breath just walking up a flight of stairs and couldn’t run to catch the bus if my life depended on it. I used to sit at a desk all day and then on the sofa once I got home. A world away from my days now.

“There’s no way I’d have lost 9st 11lbs or be running the marathon without the support and inspiration from my Slimming World group and consultant. They inspired me to take my first steps to getting more active, they keep me on track, and have been there every step of the way to congratulate me whenever I reach a new weight loss or personal best. I feel part of such a special community – they helped me to believe that I could actually do this, and I know they’ll be cheering me on as I run past all the famous London landmarks later this year.”

Slimming World Consultant Becky Batty, who runs the group that Ruth and Tim attend, says: “They’re a real inspiration to us all and we are so proud of them. When they first came through the door, they wanted to lose weight – however, they had no idea what a huge transformation was about to begin and certainly no idea that they would one day be running the London Marathon, it’s incredible, especially for them to be doing this amazing thing together! They’re proof that with self-belief, determination and the right kind of support from a group of people who understand what it feels like to struggle with your weight and truly care about your success, anyone’s weight loss and activity dreams can be achieved. They’ve also been brilliant support to one another too, and it makes such a difference to have support at home as well.”