Kentish Express Ashford & District
Runners feel the heat in their fundraising effort
Two Brighton marathon runners from Ashford certainly felt the heat during the event on Sunday.
On the hottest day of the year so far the 12,000 runners taking part in the city’s eighth marathon found the going extremely tough as temperatures soared to around 20 degrees C.
Among them was Paul Brasington, 39, from Kennington who was running in the seaside event for The Friends of the William Harvey Hospital.
He said: “I finished the Brighton marathon in 3hrs 54mins, which was nowhere near what I was targeting, but it was very hot.”
And Paul now has less than two weeks left before he takes on the challenge of running the London Marathon on Sunday, April 23 for the same charity.
He added: “My legs were stiff on Monday but fingers crossed I will be fully recovered for a cooler day in London.”
A keen runner for the last 10 years or so, the London Marathon will now be his sixth marathon.
He has already raised £520 so far by completing the Brighton run.
n To sponsor him visit https:// mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/ paulbrasington
Also successful in Brighton was Jackie Jenner, 47, from Singleton, who, like Paul, found the going tough. She said: “It was extreme heat. I finished in a time of 5hrs 4mins.
“That was longer than anticipated due to getting cramp in both legs at 21 miles.
“I had to walk for two miles to get rid of the cramp, but I’m chuffed I managed to carry on and complete the run. I have raised about £150 for the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance.”
The Brighton Marathon was Jackie’s second. His previous marathon was in London .... 12 years ago. To sponsor Jackie visit Justgiving and search for Jackie Jenner. If you are running in the London Marathon and would like to feature in our special pre-race feature see page 32.