Open-access content
Friday 25th September 2015
—
updated 5.50pm, Wednesday 29th April 2020
Windermere whizz
Earlier this summer, JLT's Charles Cowling returned to the scene of his 10in10 marathon achievement for another lap in the 2015 Windermere Marathon, raising money for the Brathay Trust. We caught up with him and asked how it felt to return to the scene of the pain and triumph of last year's epic race: "It was hard work and a painful reminder but at the same time it was glorious, not just to meet up with some great friends made during last year's event, but also to run the beautiful Windermere course again. It is tough and hilly, but it rewards you with some of the most beautiful scenery in Britain. On race day, the course is full of well-wishers, holidaymakers who've stumbled across the event, others are family and friends - but all were cheering the runners on with great support and much appreciated enthusiasm.
Many of the runners were raising important funds for needy charities and many were novices. I was proud this year to be joined by two of my sons, Tom and Toby, for their first marathon. Tom, who is an actuarial student at Grant Thornton, ran off at the start and completed the race in just over 3 hours, finishing an impressive 21st out of over 700 runners.
Toby was more considerate and ran with me for the first half of the race at least.
It was great to run this lovely course without the burden of having to save yourself for the next day's race, or trying to recover from the previous day's. Foolishly, with all the encouragement from the crowd, I began to push it, thinking I may be able to break four hours for the first time ever. But there are some serious climbs on that road back up Windermere and they took their toll. Cruelly, the steepest climb is saved for the last few hundred yards up to the finish line at Brathay. The fantastic crowds at the finish encouraged me to one last effort. I collapsed at the line having given my all, and while missing out on the magical four-hour target, was delighted to have raised over £15,000 for a fabulous charity, which does so much to help disadvantaged kids."
Not content with his efforts at London and Windermere this year, Charles is running the New York Marathon in November to raise funds for Get Kids Going.
Many of the runners were raising important funds for needy charities and many were novices. I was proud this year to be joined by two of my sons, Tom and Toby, for their first marathon. Tom, who is an actuarial student at Grant Thornton, ran off at the start and completed the race in just over 3 hours, finishing an impressive 21st out of over 700 runners.
Toby was more considerate and ran with me for the first half of the race at least.
It was great to run this lovely course without the burden of having to save yourself for the next day's race, or trying to recover from the previous day's. Foolishly, with all the encouragement from the crowd, I began to push it, thinking I may be able to break four hours for the first time ever. But there are some serious climbs on that road back up Windermere and they took their toll. Cruelly, the steepest climb is saved for the last few hundred yards up to the finish line at Brathay. The fantastic crowds at the finish encouraged me to one last effort. I collapsed at the line having given my all, and while missing out on the magical four-hour target, was delighted to have raised over £15,000 for a fabulous charity, which does so much to help disadvantaged kids."
Not content with his efforts at London and Windermere this year, Charles is running the New York Marathon in November to raise funds for Get Kids Going.
