London Marathon: 'I know what EFDS does for people and how important it is'
Every year over 37,000 professional and amateur runners tackle the 26 mile and 385 yard course that makes up the London Marathon.
Most people taking part are raising money for a huge variety of good causes, and on Sunday morning 25 runners will be lining up to fundraise for the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS).
This week, EFDS tells the story of just some of those pulling on the Federation’s branded vests to run through London, raising money to support more disabled people to be active.
Today, John Somerville discusses running past Buckingham Palace, being cheered on by thousands and passing Mo Farah.
John’s marathon story:
I have completed several half-marathons, and in a full marathon after the 13 mile mark it’s still quite good and comfortable, if you can believe it. It’s when you reach miles 21 or 22, and that’s when it gets very, very tough and when you have to start drawing on your inner resources.
If you start to struggle you’ve really got to find something to focus on and motivate yourself. It could be as simple as visualising having that medal hanging around your neck, or just wanting the people around you – the charity, your family, your friends – to be proud of you.
That is the kind of thing you can focus on to get you through those final miles, because that stage is when it’s gets so tough for a runner.
I originally started running just for fitness. But it’s become a personal challenge to be able to run further and further.
Now it’s turned into a two-fold thing for me. I still enjoy the challenge of bettering my times and the older I get the better I want to be, but also I have a drive to raise funds for the English Federation of Disability Sport.
I take quite a lot of pride in my fundraising, and this is my third run for EFDS and my second marathon along with last year’s Great North Run.
How was I persuaded to run for EFDS? Well, you guys kind of chose me!
I work for a building society and my colleagues knew I enjoyed running. I was encouraged to run the marathon for a charity, something I had never contemplated before. The building society had been very strong supporters of EFDS traditionally, and a couple of people put me in touch with the charity.
I contacted EFDS but I couldn’t quite arrange it, but they had a last-minute drop-out and they called me and asked if I’d like to participate. I just thought that it was a second chance to get involved, so I said yes.
I knew a little bit about EFDS beforehand but as I’ve grown closer to the charity I feel that it’s just got something, and it gives me a real drive to raise funds. I just know what it does and how important it is for so many people. It gives me a drive to continue to raise as much as possible for them.
I have no links to disabled people, nobody in my family or anything. Really, EFDS is just a charity I’ve learned about, but I’m so passionate about it I even volunteer at weekends.
There are lots and lots of charities out there, but this has become a part of what I do every year for this charity.
Last year I completed the marathon in three hours, 37 minutes. I have a new target time in mind, but I don’t want to jinx it! I am aiming to get under three-and-a-half hours.
My highlights on the route include the usual magnificent sites, such as the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, and coming round Buckingham Palace and then running down The Mall. You can’t fail to be moved by it.
But I also like the crowds, and points where as it’s a long run you can feel low. Most runners will have to dig deep and it can get emotional for you if you’re not feeling your best. You’re trying to pull through and everyone is cheering for you. That is one of the biggest highlights.
And at Mile 23, Lucozade stage a thing where they have lots of music playing and celebrities – last year was England rugby captain Chris Robshaw. It’s just like a party all the way round.
But last year this amazing thing happened. There’s a dual carriageway you run along as you reach Docklands. I was running out, and there was this sudden, enormous cheer. And Mo Farah was running in the leading group, running the other way! That was just absolutely spectacular, just something else and a real lift at that moment.
Fundraise for EFDS. Not every disabled person can just turn up to an athletics track and take part. Some clubs don't even consider disabled people in their opportunities. We need to support more disabled people to be active.That's why this charity is so important.
Watching the TV and enjoying the likes of Ellie Simmonds and David Weir, they didn’t get there by accident, but equally they didn’t get there on their own. They're elite athletes too!
The support EFDS gives means the next generation of disabled people can look to a positive future where an active lifestyle is more possible. Without them, it just won’t happen.
