Simon Levy
I started running 10 years ago, during which time I have completed six marathons, yet have never run beyond that distance. I had planned on running the London Marathon in 2011, but after a series of setbacks in 2010, I needed a bigger challenge to get my training back on track. When I was introduced to the idea of the Paris to London run, it seemed like the perfect solution.
My best runs to date include the Rotterdam Marathon in under 3 hours and the Snowdonia Marathon in only 25 minutes more. If I complete this, it will be in another league.
I will be raising money for the British Heart Foundation, in memory of my Grandparents, who both died of heart related illnesses, one week apart. In that week, I lost two people who had had an enormous impact on my life. The seven days between the two marathons reflects the time between their deaths.
Kevin Revell
I’ve been running for 14 years, and have completed 18 marathons, but, like Simon, never gone beyond the 26.2 miles. Except once on an ill-navigated training run a few years ago. I also like to have a few days off after a marathon, so running the distance eight days in a row may be a bit of a stretch.
However, once I started thinking about how this run might work, I had to give it a go. I have yet to convince my family that it’s such a good idea.
Any sponsorship I raise will go to Whizz-kidz, which supports disabled children trying to live more independent lives. I was introduced to the charity by my sister, who works for them as a mobility therapist. I’m excited about the chance to raise money for them – the work they do really does change lives.
Cath Duhig – The Driver
Cath had a brief encounter with running in the mid 1980’s, during which time she joined Ryston Runners and was coached by one of its founder members, Peter Duhig, whom she subsequently married. A serious knee problem put paid to her running but a quip about “just having to walk faster” developed into a new athletic career as a racewalker, in which she has enjoyed some success nationally and internationally, in Masters competitions. Cath has completed several ultra distance events as a walker, including qualifying to become a Centurion, one of only just over a thousand men and women who have walked 100 miles in under 24 hours since 1911. She also has experience of accompanying other ultra walkers on challenge events and is guaranteed to “crack the whip” (metaphorically and decently speaking) to make sure Simon and Kevin get and stay on the road to achieving their goal of running between Paris and London.
