Psychology professor's lectures running to time

Posted on Tuesday 21 February 2006

For the 55-year-old former president of the British Neuropsychological Society is lecturing in running gear - to encourage students to sponsor him in his first Flora London Marathon. Andy, who confesses to taking up running only after "almost 30 years of complete physical inactivity", is taking part in the race to raise money for the Stroke Association, one of the event's sponsors. He has been chosen to join four-times Olympic Gold Medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent's Flora pro.activ Marathon Challenge Team, which features 30 first-time marathon runners.

If I can manage to complete the marathon, it proves that many others can too

Professor Andy Young

He said: "My career in neuropsychology has involved studying the effects of brain injury, including strokes. I thought it would be good to run on behalf of the many brain-injured people who have helped my research."

Andy was egged on by his wife Mavis to take up running and has completed two Great North Runs for Action Medical Research. His training for the London Marathon includes regular sessions with his team-mates and Sir Matthew, and a weblog of training progress at The Times Online website.

"As a thoroughly academic, non-sporty, overweight and mildly disabled person - I have a congenital deformity of the left hand - running has given a huge boost to my physical confidence. When I started I was so unfit that I literally could not run for a bus. If I can manage to complete the marathon, it proves that many others can too," he said. Sir Matthew added: "We are running for two very important motivating reasons: to raise money for a worthy charity, The Stroke Association, and to encourage others to lead healthier lifestyles."