Jonathan Tombs
Jon's BIG Mountain Run and the London Marathon
Fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
So, what running challenges have I got lined up for 2013?
2013 will see me run my 15th consecutive London Marathon on 21st April. This is by far my longest sequence of years for an individual event and one I am immensely proud of, to have been fit to run each year, and to not be noticeably slowing up - last year was my 5th fastest time. Being able to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support is a big factor in running the marathon each year.
But, as last year with the Bob Graham Round mountain run in the Lake District, I am also looking to do a BIG mountain run this year, to mark another significant 15 years.
In September 1998 when still based in London, I did my first walking in the Lake District. I started big, completing an 11 day circuit of the Lakes known as "The Wainwright Memorial Walk".
The Wainwright Memorial Walk is a 107 mile route that Alfred Wainwright devised and walked in six days with three friends over the Whitsuntide holiday in 1931. Following his death his unpublished notes of this walk were turned into eleven more 'manageable' days and published as "The Wainwright Memorial Walk" - 107 miles, crossing 56 peaks, with 36,000 feet of ascent.
Despite awful weather for a lot of it when I walked it (no change there then) this was the start of a passion for the mountains of the Lake District. I did not however imagine when I completed the walk that 15 years on I would be living, working, and running in these amazing mountains.
On 22 and 23 June I plan to attempt to redo "The Wainwright Memorial Walk" in a continuous run. I am not setting any time limit to complete it, I will just set out to enjoy the route again and see how long it takes (I estimate it will take between 36 and 48 hours).
Last year, with your considerable support, saw me raise £3,900 for Macmillan Cancer Support as I completed both the London Marathon and the 70 mile Bob Graham Round. This brought the 14 year total raised for Macmillan to £39,100. I am massively indebted to everyone who supports me in giving me the motivation to get out and train in all conditions for these challenges.
Between these two runs this year, I aim to raise a further £5,000 for the amazing work which Macmillan Cancer Support do in supporting those with cancer and their families.
I invite you to donate by contributing to a specific mountain on the route. This form of support keeps me going in training and on the day as I climb each peak.
I have split the £5,000 target between the 56 mountains according to their height, so the highest peak Scafell Pike has a value of £175, the lowest peak Loughrigg a value of £5.
(Peaks in red have been fully (or in some cases more than fully) pledged - please feel free to still support these peaks but it would be nice to have "support" across the whole route. Figures in brackets are amounts pledged for partially or more than fully supported peaks).
Yoke - £50
Ill Bell - £90
Froswick - £60
Thornthwaite Crag - £105
High Street - £120
The Knott - £80
Angletarn Pikes - £20
Helvellyn - £170
Helvellyn Lower Man - £165
Whiteside - £145
Raise - £150
Stybarrow Dodd - £130
Watson's Dodd - £105
Great Dodd - £140 (£20)
Clough Head - £65
Blencathra - £145
Catbells - £15 (£30)
Maiden Moor - £25
High Spy - £35
Dale Head - £85
Hindscarth - £65
Robinson - £75
Knott Rigg - £20
Ard Crags - £30
Sail - £100
Eel Crag - £125
Grasmoor - £135
Wandope - £95
Whiteless Pike - £40
Red Pike (Buttermere) - £90
High Stile £115
High Crag - £80
Haystacks - £30
Brandreth - £55
Green Gable - £110
Great Gable - £160
Kirk Fell £115
Pillar - £155 (£70)
Scoat Fell - £130 (£7)
Red Pike (Wasdale) £120
Scafell Pike - £175
Great End - £165
Esk Pike - £155
Bowfell - £165
Crinkle Crags - £140
Cold Pike - £45
Pike O'Blisco - £45
Pike O' Stickle - £55
Harrison Stickle - £70
Pavey Ark - £40
High Raise - £95
Sergeant Man - £70
Calf Crag - £15
Gibson Knott - £10
Helm Crag - £5
Loughrigg - £5
In the past I have always said that I run for Macmillan because of losing my Mum to cancer in 1989. This is still a massive reason behind me running for Macmillan, but over the last 14 years lots of you have told me of family and friends who have suffered from cancer. I know some of you have lost loved ones, and spome of you have suffered from cancer yourselves. All of your stories serve as new and ongoing inspiration for my running.
I am overwhelmed by people's generosity over the years both financially and in the messages of encouragement and support. I couldn't maintain the enthusiasm I have for running and fundraising without this amazing support.
One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer sometime in their lives. 300,000 people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer every year; 157,000 people in the UK die from cancer every year. Macmillan reach and work with more than one in two people living with cancer, providing support for them and their families.
Please support me and the ongoing incredible work of Macmillan as I attempt to complete these two runs.
I'll post updates and photos of training and fundraising on this website.
Many thanks.
Jon
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.