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By admin, August 2, 2010

Back in December I was back at home from University in Stirling for Christmas and I was spending a lot of time doing nothing. Those of you who know me will appreciate that this did not sit well as I always like to be up to something and free time is a commodity I am yet to learn to appreciate. So in a moment of inspiration whilst sat on the sofa watching the TV one evening I decided I was going to run a marathon. As I am up in Scotland for my studies it seemed sensible to run one up there so after a quick check on google I discovered that the Edinburgh Marathon was to take place on May 23 this year, five minutes later I had filled out the application form, paid my entry fee and that was it, no turning back I had committed to running a marathon! Not to worry though, I had six months, it was ages away…

Well it’s pretty scary now, just three weeks until the marathon and still a lot of training to do to make sure I get round the full 26.2 miles. Having been training since December I know that I’ve got some good miles under my belt and should hopefully be fine but so far the furthest I have run is 25km, and that’s only just over half the distance I’ll be doing on May 23. That’s not a problem though, my training programme will see me build up that distance over the next few weeks to around 30km, just 12km short of marathon distance and then I’ll just have to hope that my determination and the atmosphere on the day carries me over those last bits.

I don’t have any pictures of me running but thought I’d put one of me in anyway.

This is the start of last year’s marathon, with one of Edinburgh’s many landmark buildings in the background.

Training has sent me through all sorts of emotions, some days it’s quite good fun, other times it is a nightmare and I want to quit. Fortunately though I haven’t (yet!) and I know I won’t be doing. That is because throughout all the training, through the snow in January and now the heat (yes it does get warm occasionally, even in Scotland) I have been driven on by knowing why I am doing this. Of course I will hopefully get a degree of satisfaction from it myself but the main reason that got me started on the idea was doing it for Tom. I was only able to make the Friday of the Trust fund weekend last year, and that is likely to remain the same whilst I am at Uni as term starts on the first Monday of September up here. So as I can’t contribute there this is my way of remembering Tom and doing what I can to keep his memory alive and help people which is I am sure what he would have wanted.

Ben

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By admin, March 30, 2010

The 2009 Belper 5k and 10k races were a huge success. Attended by 200 people and with over 70 racers, the event was a fun filled family day. The kids fun run around the cricket ground was very well attended and we hope to get even more runners in 2010.

Well done to the runners from Belper Hockey Club who came to participate, support and enjoy splendid running conditions to finish this years Tom McGonigal 10k trust fund run in Belper.

Club members were out in force to race and benefit pre-season fitness levels as part of the special event to raise money for Tom’s Trust Fund. With a selection of different terrain (road and off-road) the race began and Tom Sherratt, Dan Mills, Richard Kitchen and Jack Wells were the early pace setters. As predicted things became more challenging once runners got to Chevin Road!! With a long drawn-out climb to the top the front runners were directed down towards Chevin golf course and despite getting slightly lost and a small detour proceed towards the A6. Only minutes behind Tom Leatherland and Adam Innocent were next onto the course, also getting lost and accidentally running across the fairway. The final stint saw runners down the A6 back towards Belper Meadows and the finish line. A final push from all saw some great individual times and an achievement we can all be proud of.