Over £45,000 has been raised already (update – an amazing £91,926 has been raised!). Everyone at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People would like to say a huge thank you to all our brilliant runners and their generous sponsors. You can view a few photos from the day below.
After the event we caught up with a few of our runners to find out how it went and ask them what it’s like to train for and run a marathon.
Why did you choose to run for Hearing Dogs?
Emma Dowd
"Knowing deaf people through BSL I understand what a difference the dogs make. Having been to a demonstration a number of years ago, I fully support the work the Charity does."
Casey Gill
"I am hard of hearing and have considered a hearing dog before, so it seemed to fit!"
What was the hardest part?
Sean MacLellan
"The hardest part is when you turn off Tower Bridge. You know that you’re going away from the finish and have nine miles to go until you get back to that point again!"
How did training go?
Gareth Collinson
"My training went pretty much as it always has, which is not enough of it! But I do it because I really enjoy running. I like to run bare foot because I think the muscles work better and I have done most of my training bare foot. It’s completely changed my running style but it’s so much more enjoyable. This is the second time that I’ve done the Virgin London Marathon and I enjoyed it so much."
What was the highlight for you?
Victoria Westwood
"I can't say it was a wholly enjoyable day - but rounding the corner and seeing Tower Bridge in front of me was an emotional moment, so too was running past the Cutty Sark almost close enough to touch. Passing Buckingham Palace to come to the finish was also a moment to remember. I think the tragic death of one of the runners makes it difficult to celebrate my own run too much but also brings home to me that it is an enormous achievement and a challenge not to be sniffed at. I'm just delighted to have raised a little bit of money for such a good cause."
Louise Wood
"All of the support I’ve had was incredible and seeing my friends at mile 22, which is when I was starting to hit a wall, really spurred me on! The best part was crossing the finish line. After all the training, waking up this morning and thinking ‘this is what I have been leading up to’ was a highlight."
Malcolm Holmes
"One of the great things about today was the crowd at Mile 19 when I passed the Hearing Dogs for Deaf People Cheering Point. It was a great lift. Another thing that helped was that I ran for about five miles from Canary Wharf along the Embankment to Tower Hill with Rob (one of the other ‘Buddie Runners’) and that did help. I've run Dublin, Edinburgh, New York and Paris, but London is the best in the world, without a doubt! The crowd is the best by far!"
Kris Lowe
"The crowd inspired you on and the weather helped!"
Caroline Turburgh
"Having my name on the Hearing Dogs vest and hearing people chanting your name as you are running along is so encouraging and the atmosphere is just amazing."
Join our 2013 Running Team
If you would like to run for us in the Virgin London Marathon 2013 then you can enter the ballot which opens on Monday 30 April for your own place in the race. We also have a number of Charity Bond places which you can apply for if you are unsuccessful in the ballot.
All our runners receive ongoing support and fundraising advice along with an invitation to a pre-race open day at our headquarters at The Grange, in Buckinghamshire.
To find out more please contact Rebekah Moorcroft via:
E events@hearingdogs.org.uk
T 01844 348113
