Brave runners take on the challenge in aid of IRHH


On Sunday 15th July three people took part in the hilly High Wycombe Half Marathon in support of IRHH – Ross Draper, Nina Wyatt and Des Albrighton.


Des Albrighton

Ross Draper was delighted to finish the marathon although picked up an injury along the way which will unfortunately put him out of playing rugby for a while (oops sorry Tring Rugby Club). Although all the hard work was worth it as he has raised a wonderful £835 for IRHH.

Nina Wyatt took on her first official race, “Yes I have completed the High Wycombe Half Marathon which ama zed me, think my time was 2h 26 mins so not bad for a first and last timer!  Did it as a challenge to myself really as I'm not really into running, although maybe I might have started something off now??  Who knows ?” Nina was delighted to exceed her initial fundraising target of £300 by raising a fabulous £421 for IRHH.

Des Albrighton gives an account of his experience, “On the 15th July after 2 hours and 28 minutes, I finally rolled over the finish line at the “Grant and Stone” half-marathon and raised over £700 for IRHH.

This is the first time I have ever undertaken such an activity, so I was experiencing some nervous energy on the morning of the race. After my second can of Red Bull, the race was on and I found myself struggling up Marlow hill. I focused on my game plan; which was to complete the first 6 miles within an hour, and continued at a reasonable pace through Flackwell Heath, (where the picture was taken by a work colleague Lee Smith who was sat outside the “Green Dragon” pub). I was feeling quite positive at the time not feeling tired or in need of a drink, well a soft one anyway!

After reaching the 7 mile marker I was beginning to feel the affects of the marathon and realised what the race meant, even with my training, however a steward shouted out that 1 hour 14 minutes had elapsed to a friend of his who was running, so with this in mind I kicked on as I knew I was on course even though I was feeling nauseous, too much Red Bull (yes you did warn me Richard!).

Reaching every mile marking was a great feeling and I allowed myself a walk at the 8-mile marker, the well wishers that lined the streets also helped me along, as did the drink stations that appeared like an oasis in a desert. After reaching mile marker 10 I knew I was within spitting distance of the finish and despite a strange and amusing comment from a young gentlemen in a slow moving car, I managed to walk, jog and stumble over the finish line much to the delight of my family and friends. I felt like I had achieved something when I received my medal but more importantly raising money for such a worthy cause. Even though I finished in a modest time, I was still pleased that I saw it through and felt that my time reflected the amount of training and level of fitness I had reached in the last 7 months. Thanks again for your donations, and I would like to think that I would run one again in the not too distant future, but not for a week or two!!” – Des.

 1st August 2007