Sports and keeping fit are really important to me and it is good, once in a while, to push myself. I decided to run the Greater Manchester marathon as it had been a few years since I had run my first one.
Having already run a marathon and a few half marathons, my training was much better because of that experience and I managed to get some decent distances in. Being busy with work and politics meant that I couldn’t do as much training as I would have liked but I expect that most amateur runners would be in a similar position.
For added motivation, I decided to collect sponsorship for the Bolton Hospice as they do such wonderful work for the local community.
The atmosphere on the route was fantastic and it is always a great motivation. There were huge crowds at Old Trafford to welcome the runners and running down Sir Matt Busby way, in the Shadow of United’s ground, was a great place to cross the finish line and rest. I managed the course in 3:56:28 and, having done it, I can wait a few years before my next…