An East Anglian farming expert will be taking part in the New York City Marathon in memory of his late mother-in-law, who died of cancer.

East Anglian Daily Times: NFU environment adviser Rob Wise with son Jonny after completing the Birmingham Morrisons Great Run half marathon on October 18.NFU environment adviser Rob Wise with son Jonny after completing the Birmingham Morrisons Great Run half marathon on October 18. (Image: Adam Hollier)

National Farmers’ Union (NFU) environment adviser Rob Wise, who is gearing up for the event on November 1, kicked off his fundraising campaign in July by running the Vitality British London 10k race with son, Jonny, in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Since then, the pair has run the Birmingham half marathon, but this will be the first time Rob has ever run a full marathon as he pulled out of his first attempt 30 years ago when his wife Leslie’s mother, Dorine, fell ill. She died in the 1980s, just six months after diagnosis.

“Thirty years ago, soon after arriving at Michigan State University to do an MSc in Agricultural Economics, I got a place in the 1985 race. However my then girlfriend Leslie’s mum got sick and was diagnosed with colon cancer and we started taking many trips back and forth between Michigan and Massachusetts to help out. So much so that I didn’t have the time to train for the race and had to pull out,” said Rob, who is based at the NFU’s Newmarket office.

“It’s taken 30 years for me to commit again to doing a marathon and therefore for my first ever marathon. I wanted it to be New York City in memory of Dorine. She died before Leslie and I got married at the age Leslie is now. That’s sobering.”

East Anglian Daily Times: NFU environment adviser Rob Wise at the start of the Birmingham Morrisons Great Run half marathon on October 18.NFU environment adviser Rob Wise at the start of the Birmingham Morrisons Great Run half marathon on October 18. (Image: Adam Hollier)

In 1985, 38% in the UK and 57% in the US of those diagnosed with colon cancer survived for five years. Those figures have now risen to 60% and 65%.

? To sponsor Rob, go to www.justgiving.com/Rob-Wise2

East Anglian Daily Times: NFU environment adviser Rob Wise with son Jonny after completing the London Vitality 10k in July.NFU environment adviser Rob Wise with son Jonny after completing the London Vitality 10k in July. (Image: Adam Hollier)