One of our past IAC Marathon runners was featured in the local press during his training for the big event.
The article is used with the kind permission of Ham & High newspaper.
A Hampstead man has come out of marathon retirement for the love of a special little boy. With two marathons and a triathlon under his belt, Chris Berry, 50, from Hollycroft Avenue, hung up his trainers 10 years ago. But everything changed when he and partner Yvonne Baker, 48, adopted their four-year-old son from an Indian orphanage.
"I spent 50 years of my life living fairly selfishly, and then this little fellow came along and opened my eyes. I wish I'd done it 20 years ago", said Mr Berry.
The solicitor is now running the London Marathon in the hope of raising £15,000 for the Intercountry Adoption Centre, the charity that gave advice and support to the couple over the three-year process.
Mr Berry said: "The adoption centre was just great in terms of support and encouragement. I don't think we'd have done it without them."
Since moving to London two years ago, his son has adjusted well to Hampstead life.
"He's an absolute joy, particularly with the ladies - he's a charmer," said Mr Berry. "You ever quite know when you adopt a child from abroad what their history is or what's in their head."
In the boy's case, the change has been significant: "When he was in India he didn't have anything, he didn't have any shoes or toys. It's a wonderful thing to see him so happy."
A knee injury has made training difficult, but Mr Berry is determined to get round the 26.2 mile course.
He said: "I can do a couple of miles but after a while my knee starts to pack in. I don't think there's any prospect of me breaking any records."
Originally from India herself, partner Yvonne is supporting his fundraising efforts. She is keen for Kuber to understand his heritage and said: "On the whole we're very open about it. We've already started to explain it to him. He's a bright lad."
During the adoption process, the couple paid for him to live with an Indian foster family. Sadly, the move had some drawbacks. "When he was fostered out, he thought his foster mother was his mother," she said. "He was traumatised for a while when he arrived becaue he simply couldn't work out where he was."
Now a pupil at the local School, he knows he is from India and can point to it on a map. His background is already helping him stand out from the crowd. "It's great because everyone in the school knows his name. It actually means 'Lord of the Treasury', so we're hoping he'll make lots of money."
10th April 2008