Westbury runners prepare for London Marathon

RUNNERS from Westbury are preparing to compete in the London Marathon on Sunday 13th April. Graeme Morrison, Peter Sammons and Fiona Price will be amongst those on the start line while one Westbury runner, Robin-Mark Schols, will run the London course for the first time after taking up the sport as a cheap way to get fit after life-saving surgery.  

Graeme Morrison, from Westbury, is running his first marathon and has been writing a blog about his experiences. He is raising money for Rydale Special Families, a charity which supports families of children with disabilities and special needs. You can sponsor him at http://www.justgiving. com/Graeme-Morrison2

Keen runner Peter Sammons, a chartered surveyor who manages a trading estate in Westbury, is running to raise money for physically disabled children in his first London Marathon. Peter has already raised more than £600 for charity after running in the Bath Half Marathon in March.

Fiona Price, who has recently won a Silver medal whilst representing Great Britain at the World Masters Half Marathon Championship in Hungary, will be running competitively in the London Marathon.

Robin-Mark Schols, from Avon Valley Runners, who is running his sixth marathon in the past 2 and a half years, is continuing his own running journey. He explained, “My journey in running started at age 47 in 2009 when after a life-saving operation to remove a brain tumour, I realised I needed to get into some sort of shape to take on the rest of my life.

“Over a period of a few months I lost around five stone through changing my diet and cycling, then took up running as a cheap way to get some fitness. I thought I may have a short-term interest in running, never imagining it would take me running in big European events and even running in Australia. Last year I ran in 50 events varying in distance from the full marathon (twice) to 5k parkruns.

“Having been born in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, I decided that was where I wanted to do my first marathon and I duly entered. I found a great run training partner who ran at a pace that I could keep up with and come race day I was apprehensive but ready. To my friends’ and family’s amazement I completed my first marathon in 3 hours 21 minutes.

“From there, I’ve gone on to run in a further four marathons, the peak being last April at Blackpool where I completed in 2 hours 58 minutes to achieve that sub 3 hour goal so many marathon runners strive for. I was 16th overall and 1st veteran finisher at that event and very proud of myself. Overall last year was quite a successful one for me.

“In addition to this, I also ran Bristol Half Marathon in under 85 minutes, a feat that placed me 5th in my category and won me an ‘Elite/Good for age’ place in this year’s Bath Half Marathon, giving me a chance to rub shoulders with the best of the best on the start line. I ran a PB (Personal Best) once more at all distances I ran at with a gold category medal at a cross-country event at Bath University to complete the year.

“Running London means so much to me. I’ve applied a good number of times without success so when I ran in Blackpool, it meant I won a ‘Good For Age’ place in this year’s London Marathon without having to go into the ballot or buy a charity place. I was there on merit and have a start which gives me a real chance to run well and fairly unhindered on the day.

“I have friends and family going up to support me next weekend and the excitement is building. I’m not running for a charity as I ran to remember a friend who recently passed away when I ran Bath half.”

Robin-Mark’s chosen charity to benefit was St Peter’s Hospice and the fundraising page is still open if people want to donate. https://www.justgiving.com/RunningForJackieW/