Ben McGrail hates running...it's painful, long and boring apparently. However for some unknown reason he agreed to take part in a 5 mile run around Charlton Lakes in Andover!
It's called the Andover 5 and took place on Sunday 13th September 2009. The route was around the park and athletics track and comprised two laps of tarmac, grass, bridleway, wooden bridges and stony paths around lakes and playing fields...it was basically the school cross-country from hell.
Ben did it to raise money for Testway Transform's Money Box Fund - a fantastic local charity that collects funds which it then distributes out again to groups in North West Hampshire. The grants could go to anything from a local charity to a sports club. They've helped thousands of people and have handed out thousands of pounds.
Ben and the rest of the Testway team were up against some impressive runners on the day - most of them members of athletics clubs around Hampshire. However they all did themselves proud, Ben finishing 78th in a time of 55 minutes and 7 seconds...a personal best!
Ben was trained by Tommy Gentleman from infin8pulse to get in shape for the race. Click here to visit his website.
If you'd like to give Ben a few quid towards his fundraising target please click here (link takes you through to Ben's secure charity fundraising page where you can sponsor him with a credit or debit card)
Here are the photos to prove he did it!
And they're off! (Ben's right at the back...already)
About 200 people took part - most of them 'proper' runners (Ben and the Testway Team aren't included in that category)
Ben takes it easy at the start...not wanting to peak too early...
Feeling good at the half way point (note the corporate race number)
As Ben reaches the halfway point...Winchester runner Phillip Bernsten reaches the finish in a course record time of 26 minutes and 6 seconds
Rob 'The Hawk' Hawkins grabs a chat with the winner who then decides to run the course again (and lap Ben for a second time)
The Testway team went on the Usain Bolt theme!
Ben finishes with a glorious sprint...
...which took a little while to recover from
Andover Athletics Club chairman Nick Woodford and Ben
Ben and Tommy Gentleman celebrate a great achievement |
