Holly, who works in our Hove branch, ran the London Marathon this weekend in order to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Research Centre. She raised a fabulous total of over £1000 – over double her original target of £500. Here Holly explains what it was like…
“After taking part in the Brighton Half Marathon in 2017, I thought I’d enter the London Marathon this year. I went through the application process and heard from others that it’s almost impossible to get a space in the ballot. So I laid my marathon dreams to rest and happily forfeited my entry fee to go to good causes. But much to my surprise, the official letter arrived and I was one of the very few people to be given a space in the race! I decided it was only right to raise some money for charity so I selected The Prostate Cancer Research Centre because my dad has been affected by it and treated in the past two years. I felt that it was time to give something back to them for all of their amazing work for not just my dad, but all the others affected.
I raised money through social media and through a 5K “Run, jog, walk, scoot, support” fundraiser on Hove Lawns. Having run a half marathon quite comfortably before, I took to training well. I entered the Simplyhealth Great South Run and the Worthing Half Marathon as part of my training. I had to try and fit in five days a week of training alongside being a mother of twins, organising my wedding this year and having two jobs! I somehow managed to fit in three or four runs a week, combined with hot yoga and kettle bell classes.
It took me five hours, thirteen minutes and seventeen seconds to finish the marathon – and I ran the whole way! The crowds in London were amazing and were present with cheers and words of encouragement at every step of the way! This year’s marathon hit record-breaking temperatures – the fire brigade even set up a water rainbow at different points of the route which was very well received by all the runners! I can’t say it’s been easy, and there have been times I wanted to give up – but with the support from my family, friends, colleagues at Mishon Mackay and an expensive pair of trainers, I managed to muddle through and get to the finish line in London! I can honestly say that running the London Marathon is up there with one of the most amazing things I have ever done. And although I said I would never run a marathon again… watch this space!”
