Like this:

Well I made it. I actually completed the 2009 Run for Moore without the assistance of medical personnel or a stretcher. I set out for Blackheath Common in London early yesterday morning armed with a Snickers and a Lucozade Sport. I met up with my team mates at Egham station and after donning our red t-shirts we boarded the train which would spirit us to our objective.

We arrived at Blackheath just after midday to be greeted by the sight of hundreds of women on the last leg of their 10k, yes 10k, run which they had begun earlier that morning. This was both brilliant and terrible. Brilliant because they had run a long way and raised a lot of money for a very good cause. Terrible because I knew I had to run half that distance and I knew I could barely walk it.

Never mind I thought. I wolfed down the snickers with lashings of Lucozade Sport and we made our way to the warm up area. Here we proceeded to jump up and down like idiots, bash into one another and then notice that due to the fact we looked so ridiculous, we were being broadcast onto the big screen at the front – dignity stripping stuff.

After that we gathered around the main stage and heard from Stephanie Moore.  It was an emotional address and we all tried to man up without crying. 16,000 people die of bowel cancer in the UK every year and just hearing a few of their stories was enough to fire us all up ready for the run. The facts surrounding Bowel Cancer are truly staggering and the chance of beating it if found early is 8 in 10. Further details about the disease and the fund can be found here: Bobby Moore Fund

So with the warm up complete we made our way to the start line. After a small delay caused by stragglers from the women’s 10k run that morning, the last thing they wanted was 1500 crazed men let lose behind them, we were off. From this point onwards things become a bit of a blur. I remember passing the 1k mark and wanting to weep as I though we must have done at least 2 and half. I remember the 3k point and being verbally and physically harassed into running again after a momentary lapse. I also remember the 4 and half k point where I actually considered throwing myself into an open first aid tent and demanding I be taken to A&E. The bit I remember most though is that last 100 metres, surrounded by cheering supporters. Suddenly the pain in my legs, the breathless and the utter despair lifted and I had a last surge of energy which carried me across the line. We had done it 32 minutes and no ambulances had been involved!   

Two days later and I have recovered sufficiently to type again.  Between us we raised over £200 and I hope that you might consider donating just a little bit more to help the fight against bowel cancer. I was proud to take part and would like to thank my team mates; Stephen Bieniek, Jan Parfitt and Mario Creatura. If you would like to support the Bobby Moore Fund please click my fundraising link below.

http://www.runformooresponsorme.org/chrischapman

I think next time we will try 5.5k!

Advertisement