The Story so far... Okay so I have a point to prove to myself!
I attempted to gain entry via ballot into the London Marathon firstly in 2003 and was rejected. In 2004 I submitted my application again but also via ballot through my running club, Valley Striders and was rejected by both! I became a reserve for my club in case anyone pulled out, so I continued training and entered Edinburgh Marathon as a Target to aim for should I not gain entry. As nobody pulled out in the club I ended up doing Edinburgh Marathon which I completed in 04:07min, just missing the elusive 4hours, not bad for a first attempt I thought.
Finally in 2005 I was lucky enough to receive an entry to London through the normal ballot route. Great this was my chance! My training started in earnest but unfortunately I had to pull out due to a football injury and also due to problems with Shin Splints. (You can defer an entry for one year only so 2006 was going to be my year for London).
April 2006, the run started well, the atmosphere was truly fantastic, the number of people cheering us on was amazing. At approx 12 miles I noticed a gentleman running alongside me at roughly the same speed we chatted a bit as we went along. At about 18miles he was struggling to stay at my pace and was starting to fall behind. I was due to drink a bottle of Lucozade sport to keep my blood sugar up, however I felt as though I couldn't face another bottle. Not to worry I thought I will take a gel shortly, I feel fine . . . fatal mistake!
Apparently I collapsed 0.8mile from the finish right in front of Big Ben next to where the Diabetes UK support Cheering crowd were stood!(going for maximum effect!) I woke up an hour and a half later in St Thomas' Hospital with Christine stood next to me! My first words were "Did I finish?".
I managed to catch the race number of the gentleman I ran with from a Diabetes UK Race Photograph taken along the route. He finished in 3hrs 40min!!
Well here I am again with some un-finished business. Diabetes UK have given me a place in the Marathon providing I raise a further £749 which is the difference between what I earned through all you generous people last year(£751) and the cost of a Golden Bond Charity place this year(£1500). very decent of them as I missed the ballot once again this year!!
Once again any contribution that you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Please dig deep and sponsor me. Many thanks for your support.
Yours Sincerely
Simon Redshaw
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Diabetes 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.
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