TIM
BOON’S MARATHON RUN - SATURDAY
16TH DECEMBER
A few weeks ago, Marisa asked us if we would be interested in helping
Tim Boon, the Leicestershire CCC chief coach, to run 26.2 miles. Apparently
he had intended to do New York Marathon in aid of the RAINBOWS children’s
hospice in Loughborough and was unable to do it, so was going to run
from Hinckley to Loughborough to compensate. We thought it would be
good publicity for the club and help someone achieve a useful aim so
agreed. We asked around the running club for a few volunteers to run
parts of the course, like a relay, and were rewarded with enough initially
to guarantee at least 2 people with him at all times. I planned a route
which was the shortest possible distance including a visit to Grace
Road and my map showed this as just under 26 miles (remember that!).
As the days went on, more people joined in and we had at least 3 joining
every 6 miles with some doing 12 mile stints and John Brennan 14 miles.
The day arrived and we set out from Hinckley, just Jane and I from Birstall
RC but two of Tim’s colleagues from LCCC. What a beautiful day, dry
and sunny but not too warm. I had persuaded Tim Webb to lend me his
GPS so was able to keep tabs on the distance and the pace. When we arrived
at Huncote, Dave Snutch, Natalie and Liz Jones were waiting to join
us. Jane headed home for a bacon butty that we all craved. Tim was constantly
chattering with one or another of us as the miles slid by. When we arrived
at the Grace Road ground, which is actually off Duncan Road, there was
a big welcoming party and Tim did two laps of the ground with the juniors.
John Brennan took over the GPS and was joined by Chris Mawer while Dave,
Natalie and Liz decided to carry on. Elise was due to be there but was
the other side of the fence on Grace Road itself and didn’t see us!
As this group was going through town, Tim thought disaster was about
to strike as his knees started to sieze up, he took some ibuprofen and
that seemed to work. At Redhill roundabout, Georgina, Mick and Sue Smith
joined in while Dave and Liz headed home, Natalie still carried on!
At Rothley, Mick headed off but the group was joined by Steve, Alison
and Fiona, Natalie still carried on! At Mountsorrel, Georgia joined
but the two strapping trainees that had set off from Grace road were
now trailing some distance behind! This was the final leg and through
Quorn, Tim picked up pace and apparently, at one time, was running at
8.5 minute mile pace. I had recceed the final bit of track around a
housing estate so joined up with them at Beaumanor Hall, at this point
there were 8 Birstall runners with poor Georgia, suffering a bit, following
a few minutes behind. John Brennan had a quiet word with me asking how
much further as we had already done 26.4 miles, oh well, only another
mile, so much for my map measuring! A big round of applause as we reached
the Rainbows building, excellent achievement by Tim (4:45 for 17.45
miles) and a fantastic day for everyone that was part of it. We were
given coffee and biscuits by the Rainbows staff and a speech of thanks
by Tim who has raised over £2,000 by his efforts.
