A Call For Sponsorship

On the 13th of April, this Sunday, an estimated 55,000 professional athletes, first timers and fun runners will fulfil their training pledges and contend with the 26.2 miles that make the London Marathon - I am lucky enough to be one of them.

But this is no mean feat. Considerable effort is required on the day to ensure that the body is able to work at a physical peak and contend with the heavy pounding of the ground and the draining of energy that happens during a run. This can only be done through many weeks of dedicated training.

After running the Barnes Green Half Marathon last November I was bitten by the running bug and after recovering from a bad ankle injury I entered training immediately. Since that point, having followed diet guides and weekly training programmes comprising of short mid week runs and ever increasing long weekend runs, the final hurdle is entering into sight – the big day fast approaches.

But all the effort is well worthwhile to help raise funds for charity. London Marathon calculates that in 2002, £31million was raised for good causes. I am running to raise funds for Cancer ResearchUK, a fantastic charity working to eradicate a disease that is the cause of 54% of female deaths under 65 and affects a third of us in our lifetimes. To find out more and donate online please check out my fundraising website: www.runningsponsorme.org/matthewfright.

The London Marathon website informs me that I have 2 days 14 hours and 5 minutes until the start of the race so I’d best run (sorry for such a bad pun) and cajole some more cash before the big day. Good luck to all my fellow runners and I hope they enjoy the race.