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
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Good Luck! My mum had treatment at the Rosemere Centre two years ago and it's a truly worthy cause! Thank you Donation by Karen Boardman on 29/08/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Howard, you're an inspiration, we're so proud of you and we are with you all the way (IN NEW YORK BABY!!). Love Tori & Yvain xxx Donation by Victoria Cocker on 29/08/09 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Howard for the 1st November, you are doing it for such a wonderful charity. We are all proud of you xx Donation by vicki higgins on 28/08/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Good Luck Howard, i'll be cheering you on by the side of the road with mum, tori and a bottle of bubbly for the wild party that night. x James x Donation by James Cocker on 26/08/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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You can do it...and the streets of London 2012 await! Donation by Sara Hartley on 26/08/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Good on yer Howard and all the best for such a good cause Donation by Barbara Price on 25/08/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Howard for 1 November. Donation by Kendelle Provan on 25/08/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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What a special person you are. All our love Bridgette & Alanx Donation by Bridgette Wright on 25/08/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Best of luck Howard Donation by Julie Harrison on 25/08/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Donation by Angela Wilson on 25/08/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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You fought and won your own battle, now run so that others can fight theirs.........good luck Howard! Donation by Peter Brookes on 24/08/09 |
£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid |
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Wishing you every success for the marathon Howard x Donation by Joanne Hardy on 24/08/09 |
£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid |
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Good luck Howard! Donation by Sarah Briggs on 24/08/09 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Go for it Howard! I'll be cheering you on from afar on 1st November. Donation by Michael Powell on 24/08/09 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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Donation by kath sidoli on 24/08/09 |
£20.00 |
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Good luck Howard!! Thanks for all your help Rach Donation by Rachel Emery on 21/08/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Go for it Howard - you're a real inspiration. I hope you manage to run faster than some of those minor celebs! Donation by Annie Medcalf on 19/08/09 |
£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid |
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Hi Howard, i wish you well on your marathon endevour and have a wonderful experience good luck Donation by robert ward on 18/08/09 |
£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid |
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Good luck for the race. Good luck with all your sponsorship. I know all you're doing will make a huge difference. Love Mark xxx Donation by Mark Cooper on 17/08/09 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Go Howard! its your birthday gunna party like its your birthday! I am cheering you on Loveee you, rachhh XXX Donation by Rachie Cooper on 17/08/09 |
£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid |
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Go Howard! We'll be cheering you on from home. Shame we can't be there! If you need a physio - I'll pack my case! Love Jayne & David xx Donation by Jayne & David Cooper on 17/08/09 |
£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid |
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Howard Good Luck for the Marathon. I am so proud of you. I will be cheering you on Luv Julia Donation by Julia Naylor on 14/08/09 |
£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid |
| * Total raised online: | £1,642.00 |
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| Offline donations: | £1,068.00 |
| Mobile donations: | £0.00 |
| Total Raised: | £2,710.00 |
| Gift Aid plus supplement: | £416.59 |
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