From food parcels to finish lines - Oldham Foodbank Manager Mark selected to run for England

Mark Whittington, 51, who became Manager of Oldham Foodbank in June this year, has been selected to represent England Masters at the Abingdon Marathon this October.

That represents a huge privilege for someone who first tackled the distance at the Dublin Marathon in 2007, when he admits he hadn’t exercised regularly for years and had little idea what he was doing.

Since that debut, Mark’s running and weight have had their ups and downs.

But the thought of turning 50 proved to be a turning point.

Over the past two years he has trained consistently, lost three stone, and rebuilt his fitness to competitive level.

Mark trains six days a week, often early in the morning before heading to the foodbank.

He is aiming to beat his marathon personal best of 2 hours 50 minutes at Abingdon.

His wife Louise, a Slimming World consultant, has supported him throughout.

With her encouragement, Mark has lost weight, improved his health, and become a faster, stronger runner.

Mark said: “Putting on an England vest at 51 is a huge privilege.

"I came to running later in life and I’ve had plenty of ups and downs along the way.

"The training isn’t always easy - there are days I’d much rather stay in bed - but knowing this run can support people in Oldham keeps me moving.”

Oldham Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust network, supported 28,543 people with emergency food parcels in 2024through a network of local referral partners.

Funds raised from Mark’s marathon effort will go directly towards helping individuals and families in need.

Supporters can sponsor Mark’s run by simply clicking here

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