WHEN Ben Pine was born with club feet the chances of him ever running looked slim.

Mr Pine, of North Drive, Harwell was born with his right foot pointing backwards and his left foot angled sideways.

But after five operations and years of physiotherapy the 32-year-old is preparing to run the London Marathon for disabled children’s charity Phab Kids.

Mr Pine was inspired to support the charity as it was favoured by his late grandad, David Pine, 79.

He said: “This marathon is quite special for me.

“Not only is it a chance to prove to myself I am a capable of running an endurance event despite my own physical limitations, it is also a chance to give something back to a wonderful organisation in the name of my grandfather.”

Mr Pine had two operations on his right foot, which is two sizes smaller than his left foot, when he was one, one a year later and two when he was seven.

His left foot was straightened after he wore a corrective boot.

Mr Pine, a physicist at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, has lived in Oxfordshire for 10 years after moving to the county to study at Oxford University.

Mr Pine, a member of Didcot Running Club, said: “It was ground-breaking surgery at the time. After years of physiotherapy I am now able to walk and run normally.

“I am very lucky. Others are not so lucky.

“When I was about 20 I started running pretty regularly and I found it was really enjoyable and was strengthening my legs.”

He has been training since June and has already clocked up more than 360 miles running four times a week. He added: “For me the marathon is a huge goal. I have been limited in various ways in my life so doing this is about overcoming that.”

One in every 1,000 babies is born with a club foot, which affects boys more than girls. So far Mr Pine, who was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, has raised £850 but hopes to raise more than £2,000.

To donate log on to justgiving.com/yafizicist