PREPARING TO POUND THE STREETS OF LONDON MARK WRIGHT AND HIS FAMILY MAKE A MARATHON EFFORT TO SEND A HEALTHY MESSAGE TO THEIR FANS
INTERVIEW: PHOEBE TATHAM Mark Wright is an ambassador for Flora’s Making Healthy Switches campaign. Visit f lora.com.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
W arming up in front of Tower Bridge, TV and radio star Mark Wright and his family – dad Mark, 66, mum Carol, 62, and younger brother Josh, 33 – are ready for a very special challenge: the London Marathon.
“The reason we’re doing this is because we know it’s a massive stretch for anyone, let alone my mum and dad,” says Mark, making time in his training schedule to catch up exclusively with HELLO!. “They have never done anything like this – they’ll be pushed to their absolute maximum. This will hopefully convince people – ‘Look, we can do this and you can do it, too.’”
Professional footballer Josh adds: “We’re doing it together, pushing each other on, just like everyone else will on the day.”
There may be, however, another motivating factor: a touch of sibling rivalry. “It’s no secret that Mark and I are very competitive,” the former England Under-19 star says. “Mark completed the marathon six months ago, and he got his time [3hr 41min]. And I ran one nine or ten years ago – that was a time of 3hr 33min. We want to beat that time, so if we can get in around the 3hr 30 mark, that would be amazing.
“It’s going to be an amazing experience and we’re looking forward to doing it together. Mum and Dad will run at a different pace, but to see them cross the finishing line will be incredible.”
The family will have their own personal cheer squad on the day, Mark, 36, adds. “Our friends and family will all be there, every step of the way.
“Everyone who comes to watch the marathon is so encouraging. It’s seeing everyone’s faces smiling and telling you to keep going when you feel as if you’re slowing down. It’s people and their encouragement that gets you through it on the day.”
NO STOPPING
It’s impressive that Mark has found the time to fit in any training, given his busy schedule. Away from TV, the presenter has his hands full with his fitness clothing brand and fitness app, while he’s also a regular on Heart Radio.
To top it all, he and actress wife Michelle Keegan are busy putting the finishing touches to their dream home in Essex – and he’s
