Greta Joyce pounded the pavements of the city where the streets have no name earlier this month when she ran the New York Marathon to raise money for Velindre Cancer Care.

Greta was running in memory of her father Patrick Joyce, who died ten years ago, aged 65, from a brain tumour.

And the Abergavenny athlete was determined to honour her dad’s core values of tenacity, determination and true grit by running in her first ever marathon.

The 34-year-old runner explained, “This was my first ever marathon and it was an incredible experience. The race started in Staten Island, we ran through Brooklyn and Queens before crossing into Manhattan, briefly passing through the Bronx and finishing in Central Park.”

Greta added, “Taking on this challenge has not been without its difficulties, but by following the examples of determination and grit that my Dad always readily displayed as well as support of friends and family, and the motivation gained from fundraising it helped me face the challenge.”

Greta only started running three years ago, and would like to thank Mike James of MJ Health and Fitness for his motivational skills which helped her reach her full potential.

Keen to stress the importance of charities like Velindre Cancer Care, Greta explained, “As more and more people are now thankfully surviving and living with cancer the ongoing demand for continued support and continued treatment at Velindre is increasing, meaning every penny raised now is as vital as ever to maintain the levels of treatment and care that so many families have been accustomed to and rely on at Velindre.”

To date, Greta has raised over £1,700 for Velindre Cancer Care, and would like to say a huge thank-you to everybody who has already donated with such generosity.

If you’d like to help Greta continue in her fundraising you can visit her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/greta-joyce, and donate.