Marathon in March: 26.2 miles in 31 days

Southmead Hospital Charity have set a running challenge with a difference – to run a marathon in 31 days.

Marathon in March enables people to run a marathon in their own time and in their own way – after work, at the weekend, at the gym, in the park or by pounding the streets of Bristol.  Runners will be clocking up the marathon distance of 26.2 miles over the 31 days in March and raise money for Southmead Hospital Charity’s Prostate Cancer Care Appeal or for a hospital department or unit of their choice.

Last year, the first year of the event, 40 people took part in Marathon in March.

Adrian Brown, Community Appeals Manager for Southmead Hospital Charity, said: “You choose your start line, finish line and everything in between.  Run in your local park, footpaths, favourite beach, up a mountain or even on the treadmill in the gym.  You can run a mile a day or over a few weekend sessions. The miles will soon add up over the month and you can take a break whenever you want.  For all those fit people out there who can run a marathon with your eyes closed, why not set the stakes higher and challenge yourself to do multiple marathons and see how many times you can run 26.2 miles in the month.   You could also add a competitive streak to the challenge and ask your team at work, school or local gym/club to be involved and create a team page. See who can raise the most money, reach the target distance first or run the furthest.

“We’re also delighted to have the support of Bristol Rugby this year who will be holding a special session for fundraisers to do their miles around the Ashton Gate pitch.”

Becky Gardiner, who works for North Bristol NHS Trust, has signed up to do Marathon in March and is supporting the Prostate Cancer Care Appeal.

She said: “I’ve been motivated to get fit after finding out about some ill-health amongst family and friends, and attempting to run a marathon in a month felt like a big enough challenge that could also be achievable.

“A month is long enough for a routine to become a habit so I am hoping I can stick with it into the summer and, who knows, perhaps run a full on marathon in one go next year!”

Runners can support our Prostate Cancer Care Appeal to fund a new surgical robot to treat urological cancers. Or participants can choose another area of the hospital that is important to them.

To sign up contact the Southmead Hospital Charity team on 0117 414 0170 or email [email protected]

Find out more www.southmeadhospitalcharity.org.uk

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