Michaels big applause in Big Apple marathon (From Penarth Times)

Michaels big applause in Big Apple marathon

A PENARTH firefighter who run the New York Marathon in full firefighting kit received a rapturous reception from the New York public.

Michael Paul, 37, a firefighter at Malpas fire station in Newport, run the New York marathon last month in full uniform with breathing apparatus with two colleagues in a time of 6 hours 25 minutes.

Michael said: "We got an unbelievable reception from the thousands of New Yorkers who lined the route. Firefighters are held in very high regard in the city after the 9/11 attack.

"Whenever we ran past the noise levels went through the roof. It was like being in a stadium."

"We also did the Great North Run in full kit but this was much tougher because of the temperature. It was still 22 degrees."

Michael raised a massive 10,000 by doing the run in aid of Asda's Tickled Pink cancer charity campaign and the Fire Service Benevolence Fund which supports members of the service injured in the course of duty and the families of firemen killed at work.

Michael started to raise money for cancer charities after his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago.

The New York City Marathon, which was started in 1970, takes in New York's five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan.

It concludes with four laps of Central Park.

The race draws more than 85,000 applicants including many world-class professional athletes.

Asda's Tickled Pink Campaign takes place every year.