Kentish Express Ashford & District
Ashford race Emma’s big finish
Emma Bowles admits she was in tears at the end of the Brett Ashford Half Marathon last month.
The emotions spilt over when she crossed the line in just under two hours 45 minutes at the Julie Rose Stadium as the race signalled the completion of a 511k Running Challenge, to raise funds for the blood cancer charity Bloodwise UK.
Not bad for somebody who says running used to bring her out in red blotches and leave her short of breath.
The 29-year-old, who lives in Rochester and is programme co-ordinator at the University of Kent’s School for Arts explained the significance of the figure on her JustGiving page
She said: “Back in 2008 my mum was diagnosed with leukaemia, she fought this devastating disease for 511 days before she passed on – she was just 46.”
“In honour of her fight for life and continued optimism, even through the darkest days, I will be running, walking and jogging (but mostly crawling) 511km (317.5miles) in a series of events.
“I have now raised £1,800 and with my JustGiving page still open hope to go close to £2,000.
“I must thank everyone for their support, including family and friends which has been incredible.”
She added: “I wanted to do something totally new and that’s why I decided to start running, beginning with a parkrun at Gillingham.
“Then I ran in the Super Nova 5k and the Sittingbourne and Faversham 10k and have also been doing some virtual runs as well.
“I must also thank everyone at Ashford for helping me on the day and giving me a shout-out over the event radio.”
And it seems as though Emma may have caught the running bug as she is thinking of entering another half marathon, “somewhere warmer”.
Anyone who wants to donate can do so at www. justgiving.com/ fundraising/EmmaBowlesJoans511 Emma Bowles completed an 18-month 511k running challenge
by running in the Ashford Half
Marathon