Russell WBHO’s David Ragan has raised almost £400 for his local children’s hospice with two long-distance runs. The site manager completed the London Marathon on Sunday in just over five hours alongside 40,000 other fun runners and elite athletes.
Heading out at 10.35am as part of the new format of staggered starts, David covered the 26.2mile circuit of the capital in 5 hours and nine minutes. He previously completed the Great North Run half marathon on September 12th in 2 hours and five minutes as a training session.
David had entered the London Marathon last year but, when Covid resulted in the cancellation of the event, he completed the Virtual London Marathon instead pounding the streets of Bamber Bridge over five hours with his two young sons joining him on their bikes for the end section.
While his wife and three children weren’t able to support David from the sidelines as hoped this year, they cheered him on from home glued to the telly, and managed a couple of vide calls along the route.
With thousands of fellow runners contributing to the electric atmosphere, and the crowds chanting his name, David said the support really did help to get him through.
“The best bit was the crowds and encouragement from the spectators. The atmosphere was amazing, with people and music all along the route and music on both sides, it really helped keep you going. I had my name on my vest so I got ‘Come on Dave’ so many times it was unbelievable,” said David.
“I didn’t spot any famous people but I did see one guy running barefoot and another in ski boots, they were completely mad!
“The worse bit was hitting the wall at 21 miles. For some reason I had sped up in mile 19 / 20 and so paid for it over a couple of miles with cramp. It slowed me down but I as determined to finish, and it was amazing coming down The Mall to the finish line with everyone.
“Even though I was hoping for a better time I’m still pleased to have done it and my kids said they were very proud, which made me feel great.
“The most important thing is that I raised £315 in online donations and there’s more to count up from collection buckets and the proceeds of a cake sale that my wife and sons did at their breakfast club.
“I’m enormously grateful for anyone who has donated, it will mean so much for a charity whose fundraising has been hard hit by the pandemic, and for the families they support.”
Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley provides respite and end-of-life care for children in the central Lancashire area. The charity’s funds have been hard hit by the pandemic which has prevented many of the annual fundraising events from taking place and its charity shops to be closed. It costs upwards of £5m to run Derian House for a year, with 88% of that coming from fundraising.
The fundraising page will remain open for a few more days. To support David and Derian House click here.
