Fundraising Appeals
Brighton Marathon 2011
Sun, Sea, Sand and 26.2 miles of cheering crowds! On Sunday 10th April, Brighton welcomed over 88,000 runners and supporters to its second Brighton Marathon.
As the sun rose stubbornly across the nippy shade of Preston Park TEAM CAIRN assembled. Jeff Hawkins, Mark Pitura and Graeme Sanders each sporting their personalised fluorescent green CAIRN running vest, secured themselves with nipple tape and energy bars before joining the masses at the starting line. At 9am the whistle blew and our runners sprung into action.
The blistering April sun, reflecting off the sea and cement, beat down on the runners, raising the temperature to an impossible 28 degrees. Despite such tough running conditions the sportsmen streamed through ecstatic cheers from the buzzing supporters.
Our fantastic trio were determined to do their best and all finished with exceptional times. Mark even found the time to visit the little boys' room eight times on his way round the course!
Graeme: 4h 05m
Jeff: 3h 57m
Mark: 4h 39m
Due to his absolute dedication Graeme arrived at the charity stand a little worse for wears. Clutching his finishing medal, wrapped in tinfoil thermal blanket he insisted he was fine. Luckily a couple of paramedics and a CAIRN Team leg massage later he had recovered from the shock and was ready to celebrate his triumph.
Family and supporters were there in full force, with Jeff's daughter Daisy eager to acquire her Dad's brand new medal. Keen CAIRN supporters Jo, Rindie and Shalin dressed to impress in fluorescent green wigs and tutus. Staking strategic cheer points, waving bouquets of balloons and handing out stickers they spurred on the runners with zeal.
The frenzy of the heat filled morning fizzled to a cool sunny afternoon. Relaxing on the beach overlooking the pier, runners cooled sunburn and aching muscles with much appreciated chilled Khukuri beers before making their ways home.
Thanks to the incredible efforts of these three CAIRN runners over another 30 children will be enabled to gain an education this year. The funds raised by the Brighton Marathon runners will be sending 33 of some of the poorest children to school in rural Nepal.
"The heat coupled with the tough undulating terrain has made this the hardest marathon yet.
I'm signed up for next year!" - 13 time hardened Marathon Runner, Jeff Hawkins
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