How to lose 75kg and run a marathon in one easy lesson

Every runner has a story to tell.

If, last year, we had found the time to talk to every single one of the 1,000+ runners who crossed the finish line, we would have heard 1,000 different stories about the precise moment they decided to start running.

No two runners are ever alike and there is often a nugget of advice worth learning in many of them. However, few stories are as dramatic or inspiring as the one that follows.

In 2005, Cyprian Dalli weighed upwards of 170 kgs. He could not walk up a flight of stairs without resting halfway and lived on junk food and sweets, which, combined with a non-active lifestyle, saw his weight career out of control.

At Easter 2005, 'Cyp' vowed to go for a short walk every day for a whole week. At the end of the week, he felt like a physical wreck but his determination kept him going. Once, he tried to run, but could not manage 10m.

So, it was back to walking, which he extended to 6km each time then 8km and then 10km. Add to the exercise a much-improved diet and Cyp saw his weight drop to 155kg.

Realising the value of making a public commitment, he decided to take part in the Malta Half Marathon 2006.

Of course, running the event was out of the question, so Dalli vowed to walk the entire way and finished in 2hrs 46 mins. Covering 13.1 miles in that time was no mean feat for a man who, less than a year before, took 30 minutes to walk one single mile.

Improvement was slow and gradual, but from those humble beginnings Cyp has now completed seven half marathons and plans to run the 42.2km full marathon on March 1.

His current weight is 95kgs, which, being well over six feet, he carries well.

Viewing the event as his personal mix of Mount Everest and the Holy Grail, Dalli sees achieving his dream as definitive proof that he has finally gained full control over his mind and body.

With a target of running under four hours, Dalli predicts the experience will change his life, forever.

johnwalsh42195@yahoo.it