A Keighley restaurateur who is due to run the London Marathon for a third time tomorrow will still have many miles to go if he completes it.

Syed Ahmed also intends to run the Edinburgh Marathon on May 25-26, even though he has a spinal condition called ankylosing spondylitis – a form of arthritis.

The owner of Mughals, in North Street, aims to raise £4,000 to help people with prostate and bowel cancer, and thanked friends and customers for their sponsorship.

Mr Ahmed, 45, a married father of two, said: “I started running by doing the Bradford 5K in aid of the British Heart Foundation, and it spiralled from there.

“My first big race was the Keighley 10K, then I did the London Marathon in 2009, the Great North Run, then the London Marathon again in 2010.

“I have ankylosing spondylitis and for years I did no exercise and put on weight. It’s depressing when you’re in pain and have to take a lot of medication.

“But if you start doing something like walking for 30 to 40 minutes a day you can slowly get better, even though you have to get through the pain barrier. Walking is only one mile per hour slower than light jogging.

“It’s never too late to start running. All you need is a pair of trainers – no excuses!”

People can sponsor Mr Ahmed at justgiving.com/syedahmed1