Rector on the run

Geoff Wilson, who has been rector at Shankill Parish for just over year, will run the Dublin Marathon next month to raise funds for the church spire project. The Dublin Marathon on October 25 will be Geoff's ninth marathon.

The 48-year-old ran his first marathon in 1999 in aid of Macmillan after their nurses looked after his mother-in-law in the last few months of her life in 1998.

Geoff himself was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 25 in 1987, around the time he was preparing to get married to Naomi.

He was able to not only beat the disease with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy, but he also got married as planned.

"Cancer is not always the end," said Geoff. "Early intervention is the key.

"I've gone and spoke to guys about my own experience, try to encourage young men the importance of self checking and early intervention."

Geoff continued: "By and large I've been running the marathons for Macmillan. This one is for the spire project. We going to need another 70,000 to fund to complete phase one, which is basically the work that's being done on the spire."

He added: "I've always enjoyed running. I was never that good at football or rugby.

"I'm not going to be up there with the Ethiopians and the Kenyans. I'm an also ran."

He said: "I hurt my Achilles a couple of weeks ago and I've had to ease up for the last while, but I was out the other night and it feels fine again. Whatever happens I'll be doing 26.2 miles.

"I've already done 15 miles and will be doing 22 mile run 10 days before the marathon. It builds the confidence up."

Geoff, who's done the Dublin Marathon five times, the Belfast Marathon three times and the Paris Marathon once, said he'd also like to tackle the Boston course.

Geoff arrived at Shankill from Swanlinbar in Kildallon in County Cavan in June 2009.

He said: "I'm loving it here at Shankill Parish. The call to Shankill has grown stronger and the sense of God's purpose and reason in the call has never been more clear."

Geoff and his wife Naomi have three children - Bethany, Jack and Sam.

Anyone wishing to donate to Geoff's marathon effort in aid of the church spire should call into the Jethro Centre and see Heather Clarke or phone on 3832 5673. Cheques can be made out to 'The Rector's Discretionary Fund'.