With just days to go until the London Marathon on Sunday, we thought it was a good time to salute the London Marathon competitors from Brixton.
Motivated by the thought of raising thousands of pounds for charity, runners have told us their feelings range from “terrified” to “excited” and “determined”.
One such marathon hero, Gower Tan, of Herne Hill Road, Herne Hill, plans to complete the exhausting 26.2 mile run while wearing a 5kg giant running shoe.
Tan told the Blog: “I’ve been training far harder than for all the previous ones. Unfortunately my knees have played havoc in prior years and impacted my finishing times, and that is without a full body costume.”
The 44-year-old father of two added: “This will be my fourth London Marathon, all in support of Cancer Research UK – and I’m hoping to add to the £7,500 I have already raised to get to the £10,000 mark.”
The shoe has been nicknamed Shoe Barker. Tan was motivated to run for Cancer Research UK by the death of his father – a heavy smoker – from lung cancer in 2001. Sponsor Tan at his Just Giving page.
His aim is to become the fastest man in the world to run a marathon dressed as a shoe, a title he will scoop if he runs it in less than 4hrs 30mins.
Tan is just one of many locals pulling on their trainers for the race through the capital on Sunday, April 13. Some 650,000 people are expected to line the marathon route, with the race broadcast live to hundreds of countries.
Kat Brown
Until last year I was your classic unsporty girl who’d rather read – then I read the amazing book Running Like A Girl. It inspired me to train for a 10k, then a half-marathon, and then I thought “Oh, sod it” and signed up to run the marathon for Mind. As a journalist, I volunteer on Mind’s media advisory board. I had depression for years, and I know too many people hurt by mental health problems. Everyone deserves great mental health and somewhere to turn. Running helps me a lot, and when I’m jogging through Brockwell Park – 7.30am Christmas morning? Yep, I was there – I always think how proud I am to be doing this for such a brilliant cause. I’m terrified – but in such a good way. Picture above by dublet0/Flickr. Follow Kat on Twitter @KatBrown82
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KatBrown
Rory Webster
I am running for The Outward Bound Trust, who change the lives of thousands of disadvantaged young people every year by helping them extend their limits and gain confidence through access to the experiences and challenges found in the wild. Outdoor environments have always been an important part of my life, and this cause seemed a natural choice for my first marathon. I first applied for the London Marathon in 1996 so it has taken some while to get round to actually doing it, but I have really enjoyed the training, extending my own limits and exploring parts of London I’d never seen, though it usually begins and ends at Brockwell Park. I can feel the excitement building and for now at least I’m really looking forward to it.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RoryWebster
Lindsay Lovell
I’ve ran two half-marathons but the London Marathon is my first. Although it’s double the distance I’ve been finding training is more than double the effort! The training schedule is time-consuming, anti-
social, not very fun when it’s raining, and my legs hurt pretty much all the time. It has been a good way to explore London though!
I’m running for Alzheimer’s
Research UK. My Nan suffers from dementia so I’m experiencing first hand the awful, irreversible effects. Alzheimer’s Research UK rely on donations to fund their pioneering research into causation, prevention, treatment and cure. You can read more about their work via my page and I’d be very grateful for any money you can spare to help this worthwhile cause. Thank you.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/lindsaylovell
Leanne Spencer
I’m running the Marathon to raise funds for the MS Society, which helps improve the quality of sufferers’ lives and also funds research into cures for this awful disease. Training has been a bit on/off due to a calf injury, so I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the turbo trainer instead! It’s a bit like running but with a TV on and walls around you… My feelings about race day oscillate between excitement and trepidation as I know I haven’t been able to put the mileage into training, but I’m hoping a steady head and determination will get me round.
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LeanneSpencer
