Brian Barnard's Great South Run trials and tribulations
The Great South Run is the world’s premier 10 mile road race and an excellent opportunity for the firm to support The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. They are a nationwide organisation who aim to rebuild confidence in young people who have suffered from Cancer and Leukaemia through sailing. Those who participate have often spent long periods in hospital and have low self-esteem as well as missing out on large parts of their childhood. The Trust organises four-day sailing trips on Yachts in the Solent during the summer holidays and focuses on them working together as a team in addition to taking part in duties on board. After the initial trip they are invited back annually to take part in other sailing events until they are 18, and may return as volunteers beyond this age.
I was joined in this event by my family and the Moore running team on Sunday 25 October 2015 in Portsmouth. This the third year we have entered a team supporting this charity, and were represented by fitness fanatic Chris Lucas (who was dressed as a boat), the speedy runners Claire Grace and Matthew Bather, swift machine himself Duncan Swift, Emily Evans and the snails at the back Mary Todd and myself.
The whole event was televised by Channel 5, where David Moorcroft advised the nation the running conditions were the best ever in the 25 year race history. A chance for those seasoned runners to complete in personal bests, however this was not in my thoughts. Getting to the finish line was the goal!
For me the race was underway at approximately 10.48am with the other white wave competitors. We left the Portsmouth War Memorial along the Southsea coast and headed towards the dockyard passing the Portsmouth Cathedral on the way, with the Spinnaker Tower in the distance. There were a variety of music bands situated around the course which added to the atmosphere. The early miles were completed at 10 minute intervals and I was through 5 miles at around the 55 minute mark - slightly outside of the 100 minute finishing schedule. There were water stations situated near to the 4 and 7 mile markers with a Lucozade station between 5 and 6 miles. A stop at each of these were advisable and this was duly accepted. The second half of the course was certainly more challenging, merely for the fact that a lack of adequate training had taken place previously. From experience in completing the course in previous years I knew the crowd would drag me round, especially in the latter stages when I would be on the lookout for the jelly babies to give me that last boost. The interest around the course was amazing, especially at the 8.5 mile marker where The Ellen MacArthur gang had positioned themselves to provide their motivational screams. They were joined by Sue Lucas, managing partner of our Isle of Wight office who, along with trust crew, took the prime opportunity to get some photos.
Once the 9 mile marker was visible I had a sense of relief to realise there was only one more to complete. Near to this point Wave FM were providing commentary and although I was pushing through the pain I did manage a smile when they mentioned my name. Then I saw the 800m and 400m signs which somehow allowed me to relax knowing the end was near. As I approached the finishing line the crowd were cheering, not for me entirely but at this point I felt like an Olympic champion. Unfortunately however, as I glanced at the clock and saw the time I knew it wasn’t a personal best. I came to realise my run wasn’t about the finishing time, nor about finishing the 10 miles. It was for The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
To find out more about The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and the fantastic work they do please click here.