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Meet the marathon runners
Profiles of those running the London Marathon in aid of Bedford Hospitals Charity
We asked this year's Bedford Hospitals Charity marathon runners to tell us a little about themselves.
This is what they had to say:
Marcus Cookham, 36, from Woburn Sands - www.justgiving.com/marcuscookham
How long have you been running? 12 Years
Have your ran a marathon before? Yes - the London Marathon in 1999
Why are you running the London Marathon? I wanted to raise some money for a great local cause and to celebrate my wife getting pregnant for the first time!
Do you have a time you would like to achieve? 3hr 45mins
John Pelan, 41, from Stamford, Lincs
How long have you been running? Never more than a gentle jog around my local country park
Have your ran a marathon before? No
Why are you running the London Marathon? To support Jude and her amazing work for Bedford Hospitals Charity as well as a personal goal to run a marathon.
Do you have a time you would like to achieve? No
Hannah Street, 28, from Beeston - www.justgiving.com/hannahstreet1
How long have you been running? On and off about seven years
Have your ran a marathon before? No
Why are you running the London Marathon? I have applied every year always fancying doing it and have got in this year on the ballot (after being rejected five times).
I am raising money for Bedford Neo-natal unit since my son was born five-and-a-half weeks early in November 2007.
He spent his first 24 hours in the unit and then transferred to the main maternity ward for nine days transitional care. While we were lucky, we realise many babies spend time in this unit and the care and resources are vital to them.
Do you have a time you would like to achieve? 5 hours would be great but we shall see
Keith Peryer, 48, from Bedford - www.justgiving.com/keithperyer
How long have you been running? 20 years on and off. Joined Bedford Harriers two years ago.
Have your ran a marathon before? No
Why are you running the London Marathon? To raise money for the Bedford Hospitals Charity and to experience, first hand, this magnificent race.
Do you have a time you would like to achieve? I will be delighted if i run under 4 Hours 30 Minutes
Justine Fisher, 39, from London - www.justgiving.com/justinefisher1
How long have you been running? On and off for about two-and-a-half years
Have your ran a marathon before? Only a half marathon - Cardiff in October 2006
Why are you running the London Marathon? I wanted to do it once in my life and by the time I am 40. I will be 40 four days before the marathon
Do you have a time you would like to achieve? Under 5 hours
Mike Watkinson, 45, from Bedford - www.justgiving.com/mikewatkinson
How long have you been running? Four years
Have your ran a marathon before? Nope
Why are you running the London Marathon? To be honest it's a personal challenge - I haven't been truly fit since my early twenties when I was a keen cyclist, and have never been what you would call sporty.
I am a musician by trade, who have a poor reputation for looking after themselves, so am partly trying to prove that not all musicians are unhealthy night owls - although I do enjoy training at night. Raising money for the hospitals charity is an added bonus, and takes the edge off the selfish nature of long distance running.
It is also a link as my band used to play at the charity's annual Shuttleworth Ball. Having used the hospital's facilities on several occasions (the births of my many children, and my foolish cycling accidents) I am glad to be able to give a little back - hope I don't end up back there as a result of this race.
Do you have a time you would like to achieve? Yes - 3 hours 32 minutes (332 was the name of my first band) - but as a first attempt I should just be glad to finish.
Kat Titterrell - www.justgiving.com/katrees2 www.justgiving.com/katrees3 and www.justgiving.com/katrees4
Why are you running the London Marathon? I am running for three charities this year.
Last year I went into hospital to have a cone biopsy taken from my cervix. My surgeon is 95 per cent sure they have got it all. My next appointment is in March, when hopefully I will get the all clear. I discovered Jo's Trust when doing research into cervical cancer. They give advise and help to women and their families that are affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix. Jo's Trust was a huge help to me in understanding what I have.
When I went into hospital to have the cone biopsy, I also had a large cyst removed from my right ovary. Due to the size and position of the cyst, I lost 25 per cent of my ovary. During the operation my surgeon discovered that I have Endometriosis. Endometriosis UK helps those affected by endometriosis, a chronic and debilitating disease affecting 2million women in the UK. The condition can drastically impact on quality of life - physically, mentally, personally and financially.
I have recently found out through follow-up scans, that I have another cyst on the same ovary caused by endometriosis, which will inevitably lead to more surgery.
Last year, Bedford Hospitals Charity gave me the opportunity to run the London Marathon. So this year, I want to raise some cash again for them.
So there's the blurb. If like me, you have all of these conditions then donate to each of them! If you don't have any of them then you will almost definitely know someone who does. Have a look at the pages and thank you for reading this.
Steve Stamos, 43, from Kingston Upon Thames (a US transplant from Dallas, Texas)
How long have you been running? 30 years this autumn.
Have your ran a marathon before? Yes - Dallas, Houston, Chicago, and Boston
Why are you running the London Marathon? London has been a long-term goal and, more recently, my motivation for recovery from foot surgery last August. London also marks the completion of my third marathon of the Majors
Do you have a time you would like to achieve? Completing a marathon is a victory for anyone, but if I run a 3:40 or better, I would consider that remarkable at this stage of my recovery.
Ben Raza, 28, Times & Citizen news editor - http://www.justgiving.com/benraza2009
How long have you been running? 13 Years
Have your ran a marathon before? Yes - the London Marathon in 2007, also for the Bedford Hospitals Charity
Why are you running the London Marathon? Anyone who has any involvement with the charity knows that not only do they do some great work, but they are an excellent bunch of people too. I recommend it to anyone.
Do you have a time you would like to achieve? Anything that beats my last time - so 3 hours 40 minutes would be great. But you never know until the big day...
Shalinder Teji, 39, Bedford - www.justgiving.com/shalinderteji1
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Monday 13 February 2012
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