London Marathon: A week of EFDS fundraisers' stories
Every year over 37,000 professional and amateur runners tackle the 26 mile and 385 yard course that makes up the London Marathon. Most people taking part are raising money for a huge variety of good causes, and on Sunday morning 25 runners will be lining up to fundraise for the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS).
This week, EFDS has told the stories of just some of those pulling on the Federation’s branded vests. They will run through London, raising money to support more disabled people and make active lives possible.
Today, just a day before the big event, we recap some of those stories, ranging from the 76-year-old competitor and his airline pilot son-in-law, to the marathon addict and the first-time fundraisers.
We wish all 25 the very best– enjoy the moment, and thanks for all your fundraising.
I haven’t done much running before. I'm now 76. In my twenties I was physically fit and really I have always been so because of the job I have. I used to be in the Army and I ran a few cross-country runs as well as track events, running a mile. But it’s been over 50 years since my last serious run.
My wife thinks I’m absolutely mad, and originally completely forbid me to do it. But now she is very helpful, absolutely brilliant. Madeleine nags me to train, even. We have been married for 53 years now.
I tell you what my biggest wish is, apart from finishing – the thought of running past Buckingham Palace. It really gets to me. And I’m really determined to get over that finishing line, even if I have to crawl over it.
Training this year is not so bad – it’s difficult fitting it around my job. I’m a pilot, so when I’m away I’m forever trying to run random places to jog. But it’s not gone too badly. I've found myself running in places like Montenegro, south Germany, Geneva. All over Europe.
I am running to help a cause that is close to my heart. My daughter Lottie Mills has Cerebral Palsy and benefits a lot from what the EFDS does.
See how EFDS helps a range of disabled people. Sport for disabled people is an area of growth, and people’s view of it has changed very much since 2012. It is more recognised, with more fantastic opportunities out there. EFDS provides opportunities and that makes a huge difference to someone like Lottie.
The atmosphere on the start line is buzzing – everyone is enthusiastic and excited. There is no feeling like it.
I know the London Marathon route takes you past all sorts of famous sights, but to be honest last year I didn’t see any of them!
I finished last year and one of my mates asked him if I’d seen Big Ben. No, I told him! So we walked back round and I saw that it’s there right in front of you on the finishing strait, but I just didn’t see it! By that stage, all you see is that finish line. That’s what you’re totally focused on. So this year I might take a bit more notice.
The reason I’m doing this year’s London Marathon is that I’ve helped to coach a lady to be able to run from zero to the whole 26 miles.
She’s called Jo Martino, and I’ll be running with her for the EFDS.
She will be very emotional when she finishes – she has already told me she will hug me for an hour. It has been a massive goal for her, because when she started she was very overweight. She was unable even to run 100 yards when we started, so she has travelled so far in the last 18 months. Together, we want to finish in five-and-a-half hours.
I like the crowds. Most runners will have to dig deep and it can get emotional for you if you’re not feeling your best. You’re trying to pull through and everyone is cheering for you. That is one of the biggest highlights.
Last year this amazing thing happened. There’s a dual carriageway you run along as you reach Docklands. I was running out, and there was this sudden, enormous cheer. And Mo Farah was running in the leading group, running the other way! That was just absolutely spectacular, just something else and a real lift at that moment.
The Marathon may be hard, awful in places, but it is also absolutely brilliant. It really challenges your body and the atmosphere the whole way round the course is amazing. I cannot describe how lovely people are – it just blew my mind.
Will I run the London Marathon again after this week? Well, I ran 15 miles recently and felt incredibly stiff the morning after, so then I would have said no. But, considering the buzz I’m expecting to feel this coming weekend, it’ll probably be another yes!
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