Brixton’s own heroes are recovering after raising thousands of pounds running more than 26 miles in the London Marathon on Sunday.
Among the runners was Dom Goggins, from Brixton, whose effort on Sunday was the start of a monumental effort to raise £1million for charity in memory of his friend Steven Blears, who died in 2003, aged 19.
His mission will see him Cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats, take part in the Alpine Challenge and run from coast to coast along Hadrian’s Wall, all in 2012.
Goggins told the Blog on Monday: “Yesterday was a big day for me. Not the run itself – it was my 15th marathon – but the fact that it was the start of a four year journey to raise £1million for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
“Like any marathon, it was a mental and physical challenge but the memory of my friend carried me through. I’m tired today but I’m so pleased the Leading Lights campaign is underway, Lands End John O’Groats up next, before carying the Olympic Torch in July. £15,000 on the board, just another £985,000 to go. ”
You can follow the campaign and get involved at www.beatingbloodcancer.org/dom-goggins.
Another Brixton hero to complete the course on Sunday is Katie Ruane, from Brixton Hill, who pounded the marathon in just over five hours. Ruane, 27, was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia at the age of 22, and is still receiving treatment today.
She said: “Although a bit disappointed with my time, I am amazed that I did it, didn’t destroy myself and finished smiling with all my toenails. Whilst praying for cool weather, the sun shine brought out all the supporters and it was they who kept me going, especially those with jelly babies during the last 2 miles.
“The London Marathon is an incredible event both for the elites and all us crazy charity runners, and I am so proud to have taken part.”
So far the student has raised nearly £2,500 for the teenage Cancer Trust, a charity she is very close to. You can support her here and read her blog about living with cancer here.
Brixton-based Frankie Holah managed to run the marathon in 3hrs 57mins. She was running her first marathon for Variety, the charity where she works every day, and has so far bagged £2,584 in sponsorship.
She said: “Training was going really well, but during a race three weeks before London, I injured myself and it totally knocked my confidence. Determined to complete the Marathon, I rested, sought treatment and did what I could to help my leg to heal.”
Holah said that the atmosphere on the day was “absolutely electric” and added: “I had no problems with my knee what so ever and finished the race in 3:57:50 – I am over the moon – the experience definitely hasn’t sunk in yet!”
Also from Brixton, actor Lachlan Nieboer decided to enter the race after researching for a part in episode two of the second series of Downton Abbey.
He ran on Sunday alongside two servicemen who had been blinded in action. Nieboer played a soldier who had been blinded by mustard gas in the First World War, and became involved with the charity Blind Veterans UK while researching the role.
