My story

Hi 
 
Well, here's the result.....I did it!!!!! I finished the magnificent New York City Marathon on Sunday 1 November 2009 in 4 hours 17 minutes 33 seconds. And it was a fantastic day.
 
From the very start at Staten Island and the first mile over the Verrazano Bridge, through Brooklyn into Queens, over the Queensboro Bridge onto First Avenue in Manhattan, up to Harlem and the Bronx, and back down Fifth Avenue into Central Park to finish 26.2 miles later at The Tavern on the Green at Central Park West, I ran with a smile on my face. With over two million spectators lining the route with their shouts of "Go Howard", "Great job Howard" (perhaps not all two million shouted those exact words and of course they were cheering all the other runners as well, but it felt like they were all on my side), the New York City Marathon lived up to and exceeded every expectation that I had.
 
I finished 21243rd out of 43475 runners, so I just crept into the top half of the finishers. For those of you into statistics, my split times are available at www.nycmarathon.org (click on results and enter my name and running number 43609). I ran the first half in 1.56.39 but slowed a little on the slightly harder second half of the race (and perhaps I was just getting a bit more tired!) to finish virtually exactly where I had thought I would somewhere between 4 and 4.30 hours.
 
The official photographs of my race can be seen by visiting the link below if you would like to see the smile on my face as I crossed the finish line! (By the way the finish line clock says 4.58 because it was started when the elite men started the marathon some 40 minutes or so before me - but my official time from crossing the start line to crossing the finish line is 4.17.33)
 
http://www.brightroom.com/estf.asp?EVENTID=47685&PWD=&BIB=43609

Of course, the real reason why running this marathon was worth every step has been the magnificent support you have shown me in helping to raise £2710.00 (as at today) for the Blackpool Victoria Hospital Head and Neck Cancer Service and the Rosemere Cancer Foundation. I know that the money raised will really help to continue to develop cancer services in Lancashire and South Cumbria. Your support was with me every step of the way, and will be with other people as they run their own 'virtual' marathon to beat cancer.
 
Thank you so much for being part of my New York City Marathon and for helping me to say a tangible thank you to the people who treated me, cared for me, and saved my life.
 
Howard

My gallery 5

My Teams

My company

My charity

Rosemere Cancer Foundation

Rosemere Cancer Foundation

Charity Registration No. 1131583

<p> The Rosemere Cancer Foundation raises funds to give the 9,000 new cancer patients diagnosed each year from Lancashire & South Cumbria the very best care to make their personal cancer journey and treatment process more comfortable and more effective with as little stress as possible.<p>

Donations 72

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Well done Howard, I admire what you have done. I worked at DHQ Poulton as cook and remember you from then. best wishes to you.

Donation by Anne Shelliker on 26/01/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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Well done H, what a fantastic achievement!

Donation by Kate Nicholls on 16/01/10

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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Donation by Jules Leeks on 04/01/10

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Congratulations Howard from the day and evening staff at HMRC Bootle!!

Donation by HMRC Bootle Group on 29/12/09

£97.00

+ £27.36 Gift Aid

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Well done Howard! Sorry the donation is a bit late, but better late than never....

Donation by Paula Shirley on 20/11/09

£5.00

+ £1.41 Gift Aid

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Fantastically well done Howard - we always knew you were a superman! Luv Carolyn

Donation by Carolyn Ing on 15/11/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by Elaine Callaghan on 09/11/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Best of luck Howard. This is for you and my brother (Victoria will fill you in) Claire x

Donation by Claire Foreman on 01/11/09

£50.00

+ £14.10 Gift Aid

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Best of luck Howard with the run and Julie with the shopping!!. Ray Sue LisaB Paul LisaG Michelle :>)

Donation by Ray Gregson on 31/10/09

£20.00

+ £5.64 Gift Aid

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Good luck in the marathon & happy shopping in the big apple! x

Donation by KERRY REID on 30/10/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good luck in New York

Donation by Linda Orient on 28/10/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good luck Howard faster than last time eh!! Love from Steve Pat , Jack and Kay xxxxx

Donation by Stephen Naylor on 27/10/09

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

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We wish you well and hope you have a wonderful time!

Donation by Debra and Liz, Aycliffe CYPS on 27/10/09

£10.00

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Go Howard Go! I've heard a spoonful of Manuka Honey makes the feet go faster! Have a great day!

Donation by Helen Lambert on 25/10/09

£25.00

+ £7.05 Gift Aid

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All the best with the marathon. You'll be in a great place raising money for two fantastic organisations.

Donation by Karen Butler on 24/10/09

£10.00

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Hi Howard, Good Luck and enjoy it. Will be thinking of you on the 1st

Donation by Edith Naylor on 21/10/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good luck with the Marathon. Hope the jelly babies make it through customs!

Donation by Mike Swift on 19/10/09

£100.00

+ £28.21 Gift Aid

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Good luck Howard, you are a star and I will be thinking about you on the day!

Donation by Karen Hodgson on 17/10/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good luck Howard, Tricia

Donation by Patricia MacDonald on 15/10/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good Luck Howard. Hope it goes well.

Donation by Tony Yull on 15/10/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

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Good luck Howard, hope you enjoy the Jelly Babies and Julia enjoys the shopping!

Donation by Ellen Hunt on 12/10/09

£30.00

+ £8.46 Gift Aid

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Hope you have a fantastic time and that the marathon goes really well! - we all know you can do it!!! :) Good luck, Charlotte xx

Donation by Charlotte Puxley on 12/10/09

£5.00

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good luck and best wishes on your 2009 marathon

Donation by clifford poulter on 12/10/09

£30.00

+ £8.46 Gift Aid

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Good luck with the run, Kathryn, Keith and Katie Kellett.

Donation by Kathryn Kellett on 11/10/09

£10.00

+ £2.82 Gift Aid

Donation by Leo Gormley on 09/10/09

£100.00

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$2,504.00
  • Offline donations$1,628.67
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$4,132.67
  • Gift Aid$635.29

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.