Forty Years On

On 24 October 1982 I ran my first competitive road race when I travelled down by train from London to run the very first Stroud Half Marathon.

There were more than 600 runners taking part and I was convinced that I would come trailing in near the back of the field but I almost managed to finish in the first third in a time of 1:30:24.

Since then I have run seven marathons, at least twenty half marathons (including two more Stroud Half Marathons) and over 50 other road races at various distances from 2.5 km to 20 miles (including a Gorilla Run wearing a gorilla suit) as well as numerous different club races.

Now, 40 years on, I will be running my eighth marathon, the London Marathon 2022, on 2nd October 2022 and, rather fittingly, I will then be running the 40th Stroud Half Marathon on 23rd October 2022.

Running has been good for me over all these years as it has helped keep me sort of sane during stressful times, it has helped keep me sort of healthy during times when my lifestyle was anything but and, along the way, I have met so many fantastic running companions.

However these two forthcoming October events will, I think, be my last “long” distance races as the training is steadily getting harder and my times are steadily getting slower!

I will of course still carry on running whilst I am able to but I will certainly be more than happy just ambling steadily around the Common or along the local paths and lanes for a few miles with my Cotswold Allrunners running buddies provided they don't expect me to clamber over too many stiles and gates!

That being so, I really want to make the most of this chance to raise funds, as equally as possible, for the two charities I am supporting, our local Longfield Community Hospice and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Further information about each of them can be found via the following links to my separate fundraising pages:-.

Longfield Community Hospice

Alzheimer's Society

I very much hope that you will be able to make a donation to each of them.

Thank you,

Roger