A DAD has told how the birth of his son three years ago inspired him to follow a more healthy lifestyle.

Mirza Dulull says he was stuck a rut before transforming himself into a marathon runner.

And he gives full credit to his son Usman for the fitness journey that has since seen him shed five stone in weight.

Looking back, 38-year-old said: “I was under a lot of pressure at work at British Gas. We had a lot of redundancies so there was extra workload.

“I’d just spend the weekends and evenings binge-watching TV and eating junk food because I didn’t have the energy to do anything.

“After my son was born I decided I needed to do something because things weren’t going to improve and I was putting on a lot of weight.”

Mirza weighed 86kg (13st 5oz) three years ago and is now 53kg (8st 3oz).

But he admits had to start by taking small steps when he took up running.

He said: “My little boy was turning one and I was not setting a good example.

"I wanted to change my lifestyle so ensure my boy had a role model to look up to

“Less than a minute into doing it I was out of breath and it was so painful I had to fake a phone call to catch my breath.

“I decided to try my best and I switched from running to walking. I was just plodding along but I kept going and just set myself a goal each time I ran.”

His first 5k parkrun took 45 minutes but he vowed to complete his next one in under half an hour.

He joined the Slinn Allstars group in Thames Avenue and in six weeks he achieved his goal.

Mirza said: “Even though it was difficult I just kept thinking of my little boy because I wanted him to see me as a role model and being active.

“Usman loves seeing me run when I do my marathons and even when I go onto the treadmill he will jump on after, it’s great to see.”

Twelve months on from his parkrun debut, Mirza decided to take on the Abingdon Marathon.

Last year he ran the Manchester Marathon and his next mission is London, which was cancelled in April.

“It’s pretty strange to think where I was almost four years to where I am now,” Mirza said.

"I feel so much better, not just physically but mentally too

“It’s cleared my head and I feel so much more productive in life and at work.

“And I feel great that I set myself those goals and I’ve achieved them.”

Next year he plans to complete the 100k Dixons Carphone Race to the Stones.

And he will be doing it to raise money for Carers UK – a charity that gives carers advice and support.