"Tone Alone!!"

After too many road miles, too many early morning starts, a dry and sober period that lasted far too long, and training in pain for too long my old body has finally broken. It is with much regret and anguish and on medical advice that I have therefore withdraw from this years race.

Thank you all for you support, encouragement and now understanding. Please double your support for Tony as he continues alone.

Paul

NAHT President, Tony Draper, and Director of Representation and Advice, Paul Whiteman, undeterred by age, level of fitness and the threat of unflattering sportswear, are taking on the 2016 London Marathon to raise funds for the Youth Sport Trust. 

What put them up to it? Read on to find out…

Tony’s Story

Last July, I met with Youth Sport Trust (YST) chief executive Ali Oliver, to discuss how they could work with NAHT as our official charity partner. “Why don’t you run the London Marathon?” she asked me. “Because I’m fat, old and knackered,” I replied. 

Ali was persistent. She said the YST would provide a training schedule and ensure I was well supported which first got me thinking…and then got me started.

My early runs were understandably difficult as I settled into the new regime but encouraging rewards came in the form of cutting down my minutes per mile along with more than a stone and a half in weight.
Cuts are something which are a constant concern in the education sector so it’s nice to see them manifest themselves more positively!

It hasn’t been without significant challenge however. I recently felt a pain in my hip that I knew wasn’t a simple stitch or strain which ultimately left me unable to take on the Milton Keynes half marathon. I’m determined to do my utmost to support the professional development of teachers in PE and sport and if I can raise funds for the YST by running the London Marathon on April 24, then I’m happy to do so. 

Please join my supportive family, friends,colleagues and school to donate to this increasingly vital cause via this site. 

Paul’s Story

“What sort of hole have I dug myself into here?” Tony recently asked me in the pub, a question echoed by anyone who’s either committed to a full marathon, or agreed to something equally ridiculous to support a charity. Most of these events have one thing in common; they were easy to agree to because they seemed a long way off when suggested. But time passes, the day will come, and you’ll have to face the enormity of the task at hand sooner than you think.

The thought of Tony running the marathon, while initially funny, reminded me of my past attempts. I’ve tackled the course a couple of times myself in a manner not dissimilar to running…it certainly resembled it anyway…at times…from a distance. 

Perhaps it was my prior marathon experience, those surprisingly dangerous two pints that can subtly convince you that you really
are a finely tuned athlete, or perhaps a combination of the two, but I
appointed myself as Tony’s expert advisor at that very moment.

If I had stopped there, I could’ve avoided all the pain and strife of actually ‘running’ a marathon, but bravado had other ideas…“I’ll even come out of retirement and run with you!” I said with a smirk.

…For reference, these ten words will practically guarantee you end up on the starting line of a race you had no intention of ever running.

However, having learnt more about the YST, I have come to see how too many young people lead unhealthy lives or are not releasing their full potential because they have not discovered the joys of sport or the sense of belonging and achievement that participation can bring. The YST works to increase the opportunities that all young people have to learn through PE and school sport.

So, if Tony and I fail to rediscover our own youth, we can at least suffer a little to support today’s.

Please donate via one of the options below to keep us motivated and support the valuable work of the YST.