Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online after reading the brief message below giving my reasons for running in the ING New York Marathon on Sunday 4th November 2007 (and the end result!!)

Over a number of years I have been very fortunate to enjoy a clean bill of health, taking part in a number of sports with varying degrees of failure, and enjoyed a family life that we tend to take for granted.

However over the past 10 years I have lost a three good friends to cancer, Dave Duffield, Keith Rollason, and Freddie Cooke and seen first hand the misery and suffering caused to loved ones whose lives have been devstaed as a result. The disease has also affected members of my family, and another very good friend of ours is currently undergoing treatment for leukaemia.  
 
All too often we have come across instances where cancer has affected the lives of family and friends, and seen the anxiety and suffering this has caused.
 
So as an "ex-athlete" who has been fortunate to enjoy a healthy life to date, I have decided to try and "do a bit" to contribute to the work undertaken by Cancer Research.UK and to put something back before I'm past it -ahem!"  

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Cancer Research UK will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now! Go on - support a barmy old codger for a most worthwhile cause!

THE END RESULT!! - NYC Marathon 2007: Tale of a shattered runner

 After months of training and planning the trip, the big moment arrived - have I done the right thing? Will I last the pace? Will I be carried along the last six miles? Or will I cancel the flight tickets? I decided to “tough it out” as the nerves on the outward flight took effect. Arrival in New York was followed by two sleepless nights and a frantic day of sightseeing (and getting the excuses in early!)

The big day arrived. I rose at 4.00am wondering just what I had let myself in for as I bid an emotional farewell to my wife – I seem to remember a question about insurance policies and are they up to date. After a taxi and coach transfer I arrived at the start around 5.30am in a semi conscious state, not realising that I would have another five hours thirty minutes before racing off to my destiny. The time passed with breakfast, chats with other competitors and several visits to the same place! When the elite runners started, the author released some nerves by shouting “Go for it Paula!” only to be advised she had gone 30 minutes before!

The moment finally arrived for this not so elite runner – who then fixed his intimidating, steely glare on the other competitors. This was soon extinguished as 1500 pairs of running shoes at the start gun quickly flattened the author.

My pace was slow, and got even slower as more attention was paid to the wonderful crowds and diverse neighbourhoods on the journey through Brooklyn and Queens

I did high fives with one spectator – a Joe Frazier look alike who hit me with such force I spun round so many times, I though I was on Strictly Come Dancing!

I have never been called so many names in my life- most of them affectionate!

More hills arrived, and the authors mood changed for the worse as he was passed by Jimmy Savile and another senior gentleman with “I can jive at 75” on his tee shirt!

I stopped briefly after 16 miles for a quick chat with my support party of family and friends. This gave me such a lift, I actually started running! However I was soon back to normal as I hit what must have been the tenth wall.

Staggering through the Bronx, your correspondent was met with a hail of mirth, pointing fingers and shouts of “Granddad!”

Six pints of Gatorade and a blood transfusion later, I was in reach of Central Park and the crowds were cheering louder and louder – what an atmosphere!

Actually managing something like a finish – the author raced through the tape and flung his shirt into a delirious crowd – only for the garment to be swiftly returned at twice the speed!

I was eventually reunited with my party outside Central Park, due to the large crowds gathered around the finish area waiting for my autograph. Back to reality as I then woke up in the nearest Starbucks on Columbus Avenue!!

Seriously, the word great is overused these days, but this day fitted that very description. I was fortunate to see the best in all people, regardless of their background. Everyone, competitors, supporters and spectators contributed in making this a great day.

Time? A not very impressive 5 hrs 6 mins.

Many thanks for your support.

Regards. Dave.

PS: In addition to the above team members I would like to thank the following organisations:

Martin Lancaster, Alan Jones and members of the Shenley Lane Community Association

The TechnologyForge, Otley, Leeds

Spatial Intelligence Limited, Fulwood, Preston

Birmingham City Council and The University Hospital, Birmingham