At emap we have just under 500 employees all over the UK and a couple of them are brave enough to be taking on this year’s London Marathon. We caught up with John and Muyiwa to find out a bit more about why they’re running the London Marathon and, more importantly, the charities they’re running for.
Have you ever run a marathon before?
John: “(As may be evident from my very occasional blog) I have run quite a few: Stats being that this will be my 15th consecutive London and 50 something’th Marathon. It’s addictive!”
Muyiwa: “Yes I’ve run two marathons before, London in 2022 and Brighton in 2023”
How’s the training going?
John: “Training is on pause due to an Achilles Tendon injury which resulted in a dash to A & E at the beginning of the month. It is easing a bit, but I am unable to run, and walking remains uncomfortable. I am following the RICE protocol (Rest Ice Compression Elevation) and hoping that Ian in the Octopus Clinic will get that solved in time.
As I have been running regularly for more than 15 years, I’m not panicking… yet!”
Muyiwa: “The training is going well so far, lots of early morning starts, currently running 45 to 50 miles a week”
What made you want to run the London Marathon?
John: “Back in 2009 I entered the ballot for the London Marathon telling myself that I hoped not to get a place: And guess what – surprise surprise – I didn’t get a place and then realised that despite what I had been telling myself, I was disappointed. So, in 2009 I signed up to run for the MS Trust Charity (Multiple Sclerosis Trust) and have been doing so every year since.”
Muyiwa: “Good question, if you asked me this in 2022 my answer would have been to see if I could do it, this time around it’s for the joyful atmosphere and to help my friend’s charity”
What’s the charity you’re raising money for, and why did you choose them?
John: “The MS Trust is to Multiple Sclerosis sufferers roughly what MacMillan Nurses are to Cancer Patients. There are a variety of therapies, stratagems and medications that help manage MS on a day-to-day basis but there is no known cure for MS.
My Mother had MS at a time when clinicians could only offer a supply of ever more powerful painkillers. I support the MS Trust as they offer today’s sufferers what I wish had been available to my mother.”
Muyiwa: “The charity I am running for is called Action for M.E. they have been working hard to help so many people over the years.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.) is a long-term (chronic), fluctuating neurological condition that causes symptoms affecting many body systems, more commonly the nervous and immune systems. M.E. affects an estimated 250,000 people in the UK and around 17 million people worldwide.
People with M.E. experience debilitating pain, fatigue and a range of other symptoms associated with post-exertional malaise, the body and brain’s inability to recover after expending even small amounts of energy.
Finally, what’s the first thing you’re going do after you cross that finish line?
John: “One of the benefits of running the London Marathon for a Charity is that there is a post-race Reception offering massage, showers & cake: The only challenge is what to go for first!”
Muyiwa: “Not sure what I will do after crossing the finish line, seek out a lot of food and maybe a drink or two as long as there’s a very comfortable chair to sit on!”
These are two fantastic causes and we’re all going to be cheering them both on all the way on the 21st of April. If you would like to donate to either of these very worthy charities, click on the donation buttons below.
