CHARITY: Marathon Man approaches date with destiny

To pledge your support CLICK HERE and give as much as you can for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

When Alan Boothroyd approaches the starting line on 29 March for his challenge of running from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 20 days he admits he will be a bag of nerves. When he approaches the finish, if he gets that far, he knows it will be a poignant moment.

“I know from previous runs I’ve done that physically and mentally I am sound,” he says, “but emotionally it will hit me because I am that kind of person. It might not hit me straight away. It could be a month or two before it all sinks in and I appreciate what I have actually achieved.”

Most of us don’t find the time and energy to tackle a half marathon, yet the challenge 52-year-old Alan has set himself is to run the length of the country in just 20 days between 29 March, Good Friday, and 17 April.

“I’ve done other things before for charity from when I was only 22 or 23 years-old, but this is definitely the craziest thing I’ve ever done,” he admits.

alan boothroyd

Yet even though 917 miles stretch ahead of Alan he expects the final stretch to be the toughest.

“I know from past experience that it’s the last six miles, or even when you can see the finish line, that’s when it gets hard. But he adds “I won’t rest until I’ve finished it. I know I’ll have low points and I’ve warned my backup team that there’ll be good days and bad days as well.”

The charity Alan is pounding the highways of the UK for is the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. A cause close to his heart, “The more money I raise the better. My friend’s son got saved by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance at Ferrybridge and they saved his life. Tragically the pilot that day was the same helicopter pilot that died in London recently.”

“I don’t really think the air ambulance service should be a charity, it should be funded by government money, but we all need to do all we can to keep it up.

“It’s a great cause and I know of a few people that have been saved by the work it does so I’m glad I’m helping it.”

His run will also raise money for his beloved Huddersfield Town AFC’s Academy. Alan has a history of putting his body on the line for charitable causes.

“I’ve done various bike rides and runs for Jimmy’s Hospital in Leeds,” he says in a typically modest and understated manner. “I ran to Langsett Resevoir from Huddersfield, did a sponsored walk and then ran back and got about eight grand for that for Cancer Research.”

“The last thing I did was in 2009 when I ran from Blackpool to Bridlington in two-and-a-half days.”

Most of us forget our New Year’s pledge to get fit before Twelfth Night, but Alan’s remarkable regime began when he realised he was putting on weight as a 22-year-old.

“I started playing rugby and to keep fit I started running and then did some marathons and half marathons and have just kept doing it.”

But there is a big difference from running a marathon and running the equivalent of two marathons in a day for 20 consecutive days. But whereas the average Joe or Josephine dreams of summer holidays, a new car or refurbishing the kitchen, Alan sees endless stretches of road when he closes his eyes.

“This Lands End to John O’Groats challenge is something that I’ve wanted to do for a bit now.

“I had it planned a year ago but I had a foot problem so I had to call it off. This time I’m definitely doing it.

“If I have to crawl to the finish line I will do. I am going to do it.

“I’m positive that I’m going to finish it.”

And the man even his closest friends think is slightly bonkers for even considering the feat is looking forward to getting started, “I can’t wait to do it. I’m excited but I’m also nervous, but once I start running I will be fine.”

He’s been getting through two pairs of running shoes a month as the training miles pound through his legs, “I’ve been running many miles, been in Spain recently where I ran 20 miles in the morning, had a couple of hours off and then ran 20 miles before tea to prepare.

“I’ve also added Pilates and swimming to my training schedule so my whole body is ready for this journey.”

Most sportsmen will tell you that they don’t achieve success on their own. Alan’s girlfriend, Lorraine, is planning to follow her man along the route for at least the first half of the route and local businesses have backed Alan.

Approved Food are assisting with the nutritional side of things and much needed energy drinks. The Sheffield-based company will also encourage their customers to come out and cheer Alan on. They want people to take pictures and videos to prove they saw him pass. Those that send them in will be rewarded with discounts and prizes.

Alan’s run has captured the imagination of the local business community:

David Elliott of Wellhouse Leisure www.wellhouseleisure.com Donated a campervan to Alan and his support driver for the full duration of the event
Mark Lee of One 17 Design www.one17design.com Covering the costs of fuel for the vehicle
Andy Shuter of Frontline Solutions www.frontline-solutions.co.uk Covered the costs of Alan’s accommodation for all 20 nights
Andy Needham of Approved Food www.approvedfood.co.uk Provided all of Alan’s food and drink
Stephen Callaghan from Enterprise Print www.enterpriseprint.net Provided advertising material such as posters, leaflets, flyers and business cards
Graham Thompson of Xamax  www.xamax.co.uk Printed Alan’s running tops
Daron Hamilton of DH Technology Given a donation of £1,000 to cover various costs

“There is a lot of support for me and it’s great,” says a humbled Alan. “I’ve been really taken aback by how people have got around me to support me.”

“I like running in different places so going through other towns will be good. I know people in Cornwall, Coventry and other places on the route and it would be great if people could come out and support me. I just need people to tell me to keep going!

“I’ve got two friends who are organising it and I’m really grateful that Approved Food is helping me too.

“I’ve also got other companies chipping in and one that is providing our camper van which will be driven by my backup team and carry the essentials I need.

“I’m delighted to get the support I have,” Alan adds. “After I’ve finished the run I want to do some publicity for all of my sponsors who helped me complete this challenge.”

So as Alan gets closer to his destiny and his huge training workload reduces in the fortnight before the race to allow his body to refresh itself in readiness he urges people to sponsor him and make his efforts worthwhile.

To pledge your support CLICK HERE and give as much as you can for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

It’s a charity Alan is keen to support, but doesn’t want to be using himself.

“It won’t need to be helping me,” he concludes determinedly. “As I come through Yorkshire, I’ll just carry on running.”

JAMES BUTTLER

YAA

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