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Historic steps for British runner at Dubai Marathon

British runner Alex Flynn hopes to surpass an important milestone in a phenomenal fundraising effort at the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon next month.

Flynn, a sports-mad father of two from Henley, has pledged to raise £1 million for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust after being diagnosed with the debilitating disease barely two years ago.

Since then, he has set about running 10 million metres (more than 6,000 miles) by 2014 and, having already covered over 950,000m thus far, the 37-year-old will cross the million mark – and chalk up a 10^th of his target total – in the Emirate.

“I had wanted to go to Dubai and run the marathon there as I’d been told it’s a good run,” Flynn – who bravely intends to jog or crawl if his condition deteriorates over time – said.

“What sold me the decision to incorporate the Dubai Marathon in my schedule is the fact that my good friend, Bryan Garrett, lives in Dubai and the chance of meeting up with an old friend and running with him as I cross the one million metre mark was one I couldn’t pass up.”

The run, held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and staged under the auspices of the Dubai Sports Council, will have numerous participants aiming to raise money for good causes.

But, very few on the start line shall have the courage and conviction of Flynn, who intends to get some pre-race preparation under his belt before raising awareness of the issue on January 21.

“I am keen to arrive in Dubai on January 18 and get some miles in on the course,” the lawyer said.

“There is no local support group for people in Dubai with Parkinson’s, so I’d like to be able to discuss how help and support can be made available. People with the disease are not alone – come and help me to help them and come cheer me on,” he added.