Newsome butcher Raymond Carroll to run the London Marathon for 9th time

BUTCHER Raymond Carroll will take on the London marathon for the ninth time.

Raymond, who owns Raymond Carroll butchers in Newsome, is hoping to raise over £1,000 for Huddersfield’s NSPCC.

The 61-year-old will once again join friend and customer Bev Thomas, of Newsome, in the marathon and they are hoping to finish in four hours 45 minutes this year.

Raymond said: “The first time I did it when I was in my early 50s I completed it in four hours and six minutes but I’m getting a bit slower these days.

“Running the London Marathon is marvellous.

“I keep saying this is the last time, and never again.

“And then I end up doing it the next year.

“You see it on TV and then you just get the bug.”

Beverley and Raymond have been running 30 to 40 miles a week around the Holme Valley in preparation for the big race on April 25.

Raymond’s wife Jennifer will be in the crowd next month to cheer them on.