Michael Mason
Mike's Charity Pledge Page
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Story
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online. Your kindness will make a difference. In addition you can make an offline pledge to me at mmason6@ford.com
This year I am entering 3 ultra running events:
West Highland Way Race - June 18. This is a 95 mile event from Glasgow to Fort William to be completed in 35 hours. Simeon Bennett will again join me as support runner during the event. My father Don will also be supporting (wife Gill has had to drop out - can't stand to see my condition and hear my whingeing), as will Simeon's partner - Fran.
Update on Race #1
The first of the 3 Big Races was held over the weekend - West Highland Way race - 95 miles from Glasgow to Fort William. Weather conditions were poor - 85% humidity for the Saturday and flash flooding on Sunday morning. As a result, the race was called off after the penultimate checkpoint at Kinlochleven. Those that managed to pass through here earlier (my support runner Simeon Bennett and myself) had to endure more pain until we were pulled from the race because of flooding with about 5 miles to go. However, all runners who passed the checkpoint were deemed finishers and collected prizes. Obviously I was 'gutted' not to have been allowed to finish. But it was some time before the race organisers were able to get the stupid grin off my face..... Update on race#2 - Slovenian Alpine Marathon - Sept 10. 50Km trail event. I completed the second big race for Cancer Research on Saturday in Slovenia. This was a 50km marathon starting in Preddvor ascending to 1800m and finishing in Jezersko. No act of God this time to stop the race (unfortunately) and I finished in 7hrs 50 mins, 61 of 87 entrants, 20th in my age category, and first in the category of best looking runner! Memories - steep ascent and descents with narrow tracks overhanging valleys below, my improvised wooden pole breaking and tumbling me over, stupendous mountain scenery, thick deep mud and wood ants as big as squirrels and ants nests as high as my waist. Will be hobbling around for a while.... Update on race#3 -Castillos de Avila - November 5 - 50km trail race. Mountain route outside Madrid. (Convinced my wife that I am taking her on a lovely holiday)! Fantastic event - cold weather, beautiful scenery, great organisation. But it was 31 miles - they lied and said it was a 30 miler. Superb Mountain ascent/descents - ice at high levels - I finished in 5 hrs 36 minutes. 89th of 189 finishers (222 started) and 3rd of the 21 UK runners who flew over. And continued being in the Number 1 position in 'Best looking runner' category! I can now hang my lycra up for a while before training again for next year! This year we are raising money for Cancer Research UK. This is in memory of four work colleagues who have lost their lives, and for others who are fighting their own battles now. We raised £3000 for Cancer Research in 2003 and last year Duncan Clark and I raised £3500 for the British Heart Foundation (Duncan is resting this year but will be back in 2006!!) So please give generously before my body finally falls apart. 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! Many thanks for your support. Best Regards Mike Mason
This year I am entering 3 ultra running events:
West Highland Way Race - June 18. This is a 95 mile event from Glasgow to Fort William to be completed in 35 hours. Simeon Bennett will again join me as support runner during the event. My father Don will also be supporting (wife Gill has had to drop out - can't stand to see my condition and hear my whingeing), as will Simeon's partner - Fran.
Update on Race #1
The first of the 3 Big Races was held over the weekend - West Highland Way race - 95 miles from Glasgow to Fort William. Weather conditions were poor - 85% humidity for the Saturday and flash flooding on Sunday morning. As a result, the race was called off after the penultimate checkpoint at Kinlochleven. Those that managed to pass through here earlier (my support runner Simeon Bennett and myself) had to endure more pain until we were pulled from the race because of flooding with about 5 miles to go. However, all runners who passed the checkpoint were deemed finishers and collected prizes. Obviously I was 'gutted' not to have been allowed to finish. But it was some time before the race organisers were able to get the stupid grin off my face..... Update on race#2 - Slovenian Alpine Marathon - Sept 10. 50Km trail event. I completed the second big race for Cancer Research on Saturday in Slovenia. This was a 50km marathon starting in Preddvor ascending to 1800m and finishing in Jezersko. No act of God this time to stop the race (unfortunately) and I finished in 7hrs 50 mins, 61 of 87 entrants, 20th in my age category, and first in the category of best looking runner! Memories - steep ascent and descents with narrow tracks overhanging valleys below, my improvised wooden pole breaking and tumbling me over, stupendous mountain scenery, thick deep mud and wood ants as big as squirrels and ants nests as high as my waist. Will be hobbling around for a while.... Update on race#3 -Castillos de Avila - November 5 - 50km trail race. Mountain route outside Madrid. (Convinced my wife that I am taking her on a lovely holiday)! Fantastic event - cold weather, beautiful scenery, great organisation. But it was 31 miles - they lied and said it was a 30 miler. Superb Mountain ascent/descents - ice at high levels - I finished in 5 hrs 36 minutes. 89th of 189 finishers (222 started) and 3rd of the 21 UK runners who flew over. And continued being in the Number 1 position in 'Best looking runner' category! I can now hang my lycra up for a while before training again for next year! This year we are raising money for Cancer Research UK. This is in memory of four work colleagues who have lost their lives, and for others who are fighting their own battles now. We raised £3000 for Cancer Research in 2003 and last year Duncan Clark and I raised £3500 for the British Heart Foundation (Duncan is resting this year but will be back in 2006!!) So please give generously before my body finally falls apart. 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! Many thanks for your support. Best Regards Mike Mason