Marathon
agony was all worthwhile
By Steven Bowron and
Sarah Johnson
IT’S THE e-mail circular that has
office workers hiding under their desks. Excuses range from
“I’ve got weak ankles,” to “I promised to take the hamster
to the Falkirk Wheel that weekend”.
 And
it’s all because someone had the bright idea to “do the
Edinburgh Marathon”! Even the qualification that “it’s all for
charity” can’t take the sting out of the prospect of a 26-mile
slog through the streets of the capital — a city that, as we’re
often told, is built on seven rather daunting hills.
|
 The
intrepid Intronet teams, from left, Nicola Shields, Graeme
Trotter, Craig Johnston, Emma Berry, Caroline Von Schmalensee,
Paul Regnart, Colm Doyle and Chris Nicolson.
|
Yet
eight intrepid staffers from Edinburgh-based human resources
solutions company, Intronet, were undaunted by the challenge.
Especially when they found out the cash would go to the Sunday
Post’s CHAS Appeal.
Though
none of the marathon virgins described themselves as fitness
fanatics, they soon knuckled down to a rigorous six-month training
regime.
Calamity
Having
decided to compete as relay teams, the runners divided into
foursomes, — the Wacky Racers and Legless.
Doing
the circuit in bite-sized chunks turned out to be a wise move as,
just two weeks before the race, calamity struck.
Team
member Emma Berry was dashing for a train down Waverley Steps when
she slipped, injuring her back. For a time it was touch and go,
but she recovered in time to take part on the big day.
It
meant she helped her team, Wacky Racers, to complete the course in
4 hours 4 minutes, with Legless crossing the finishing line in 4
hours 28 minutes — all to the cheers of their colleagues.
Not
only has the teams’ joint effort raised an impressive £1000
for CHAS, it seems to have given them a taste for running.
Apparently they are all falling over themselves — though
hopefully not literally this time — to take part in the 10K
Edinburgh Fun-Run in September. |
WHEN
JANICE RANKIN, from Dumbarton, decided to help our appeal she chose
the solo route — raising £450 by running the London Marathon in
April.
Janice, a quality controller with
Methode, ran the event in 4 hours, 55 minutes.
She said, “I don’t usually run for charity, but I’d read so much about CHAS in The Sunday Post and with Loch Lomond so close it spurred me to help the children.
“It was chucking it down with rain on the day, but we enjoyed ourselves all the same. My friend Beth also ran, although we started at different points. She made it in just under four hours. Amazing. |
Janice rests her
feet.
|
“I’ve been a runner for 20 years, but I was 50 this year and knew this would be my last marathon. I won’t miss the winter training. I’d be out at 6 am every morning in all weathers. I only decided to fund-raise three days before the marathon. I went around neighbours and friends with most of the money coming from work colleagues. As soon as you mention CHAS people dig deep!”
Janice made it home in 24,037th position out of 33,000 runners and said, “Don’t believe anyone if they say it’s easy. You can’t run 26 miles without pain — and I mean pain!”
On a lighter note, Janice pointed out that she beat
EastEnders’ Charlie Brooks, who plays Janine, who was running for Marie Curie Cancer Care. She adds, “I am glad I ran well and was able to raise money for CHAS, but now it’s time to hang up my trainers.” |
You can e-mail us at:
hospice@sundaypost.com
|
