Marie's Belfast Marathon story

Sky was grey, rain was falling, a nip of frost in the air, all this could not dampen my excited energy along with others walking for Action Duchenne.

 

We gathered at the starting point for The 31st Belfast Marathon at the front of Belfast City Hall. My husband John was running the second part of the relay and I power walk the full 26.2 miles. This was a joint effort on both our parts with the same objective to raise awareness of Action Duchenne and raise monies for vital research to finding a cure.

 

 

At 9am the atmosphere was electric, the whistles, the music, the clapping and the rain we finally set off. Out of the centre of Belfast up The Albert Bridge Road, then Newtownards Road to Holywood Exchange down by Belfast City Airport reaching  Bridge End.

 

6MILES only another 20 to walk!

 

From Queens Bridge, I noticed at this stage there was less chat and people parted company to follow their chosen length when all of a sudden we had all thinned out, up Castle Street up the Falls and Clonard, Here I have to pause as an elderly gentleman was standing.  Rain lashing down on him, holding a TRAY OF JELLY BEANS AND WINE GUMS to give us all a sugar lift (a heart of human kindness) 

 

On to Cupar Lanark into the Shankill, Tennant, Crumlin then into Hillview

 

9.5MILES, only another 17.7to walk. 

 

Heading towards Oldpark, Cliftonville, Westland Road and just when I thought I would have to and cringed at the thought of using the mobile toilets, my whole faith in human nature was restored when a lady standing at her garden gate stated as I passed “If you wish to use my bathroom feel free” What a wonderful human being, this gesture spurred me on I was up the Antrim Road and down Floral over Arthurs Bridge down Mill Road and along Shore Road, along to Gideons Way. In my day it was called Hazelbank

 

16.6 miles now only 9.6 to do.

 

I turned onto the cycle path running along the M2. I call it the Reclaimed Land. The lashing gales and wind were taking their toll as I turned here heading back into Belfast walking on with rain blinding me on one side and the spray from the  rising waves of Belfast Lough on the other.

 

I didn’t want to think of how far I still had to walk, I kept thinking just how far I had come. At this stage EVERYONE MUST FEEL THE SAME, you are soaking wet no matter what sort of gear you have on nothing would have withstood all that the elements threw at us yesterday.

 

With fierce cold lashing rain and gale force winds,  I continued to head down going up towards Fortwilliam roundabout and I was feeling brilliant as I reached 20miles at Duncrue Street,6.2 TO GO!

 

On to Whitla, Clarendon, Oxford street I passed the Hilton then underneath the railway bridge, Mays Meadow. Felling fantastic continued on to Tow path where I found myself on the Ormeau Bridge.

 

I don't know at this stage what was moving my legs and feet, but a lot of divine intervention was called upon, and knowing I had all of your good wishes spurring me on  during this epic journey and one young man in particular.

 

Reaching into Ormeau Park, elation soon became tears of pain as I, like others before me, realised that someone must have thought this a real test of endurance as you had to go through Ormeau Park and out another gate onto Ravenhill Road, walk all the way around gaining your final punch on your checkpoint card that proved you were worthy of a medal, and finally back into Ormeau Park.  That last mile to the finish line was mixed with emotion, pain and pride. If I live on, the memory of it will last me a lifetime.

 

I had achieved what I had set out to do, to bring awareness about Action Duchenne, raise much needed monies that will go straight to financing research into finding a cure for this cruel condition and receive THAT medal for my very special nephew Brendan who is now into his 19th year and living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  He is the real hero of this very epic journey.

 

A sincere thank you to everyone who has sponsored John and myself to date. We have in cash sponsorship, and through the just giving site  totalled £850 and there is still money pledged still to be collected which will add to this total,

 

The Just giving site for our Belfast Marathon endeavour will stay open until 7th August 2012 and to date Action Duchenne Belfast Marathon 2012 has raised sixteen thousand one hundred pounds. This is just phenomenal. I will update site with final amount when all pledges have been received

 

Don't stop believing and never ever give up HOPE a heartfelt thank you to each and everyone for caring,

Marie and John

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