The Comrades Marathon is a 55.9 mile foot race across hilly terrain that was first run in 1921 to commemorate the 2700 km march across Africa many South African soldiers endured during the first world war. At the time, the government tried to ban the first running as they deemed it beyond normal human endurance. The founder Vic Clapham felt that this was exactly the reason for running it. Today it is the world’s largest ultra marathon and it will be held on the 30 May 2010 at 05:30, starting in Pietermaritzburg and finishing in Durban. I feel that this test of endurance is an apt way to commemorate the fisherman who have spent much of their lives toiling at sea in harsh conditions, many of whom suffer either a crippling illness in old age, alcoholism or extreme poverty. Likewise, the families of fishermen, who perished bringing fish to our plates, often endure extreme sadness and depression, as fishing remains the most dangerous and unforgiving occupation in the British Isles.
I am therefore asking you to sponsor my running of the Comrades in aid of the Fishermen’s Mission, who provide constant pastoral emotional support to the fishermen and their families. These often very remote communities are heavily reliant on the Mission as their centre which help keep fishing a part of the British culture. All sponsors will be invited to attend a scampi themed event in Whitby in June, where the Whitby Scampi Camper will be in action. Sponsors above £100 will be included in all press releases, on the website and be sent a photo with their logo on display from the event (assuming receipt of a logo from the sponsor). The entry fee and travel costs for the event have been met entirely from my pocket, so that all of the sponsorship raised will go directly to the mission. Payment can be made either on-line at http://www.justgiving.com/whitbyseafoods or by cheques payable to Whitby Seafoods at the below address. Please mark the cheques “Comrades” on the back.You can keep up to date on my training by following my twitter page:
http://twitter.com/EdwardWhittle
Last year I completed the Barcelona, Edinburgh and Chicago marathons and the Leeds Half marathon and Great North Run with PBs of 3:12 for the Marathon in Chicago and 1:26 for the Great North which is a half marathon. I am aiming to complete the comrades in under 8 hours and am having to build my weekly mileage up to 80 miles to achieve this.
