It seems that having run 10 marathons in 10 days for charity in 2014, JLTs Charles Cowling has got the bug for charity marathon running.
"The New York marathon was very special. From the start on Staten Island with its American National Anthem and Frank Sinatra send-off, through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Harlem and finally finishing on 5th Avenue and into Central Park, it was full of evocative sights and sounds.
"The fantastic crowds gave us amazing support and the great mix of bands and music cheered us on our way. It was a bit tougher than I was expecting as, surprisingly, it's not very flat. The many bridges are hard work and most of the last two or three miles along 5th Avenue are uphill which seems very unfair, even if the grandstand finish in Central Park and a time of four hours nine minutes made it all worthwhile.
"My second marathon at Kirkstall Abbey couldn't have been more different. A tough and muddy trail just north of Leeds was the setting for the annual reunion of the Brathay 10in10 Club (those few souls foolish enough to have completed the 10 marathon challenge). The wind was blowing a gale and it was bitterly cold, but otherwise it was a beautiful day and the rain and snow stayed away.
"It was very muddy and we were sliding around all over the place and continually getting bogged down in waterlogged shoes. But I was delighted to get round in four hours 15 minutes. Much of the Yorkshire scenery was very beautiful in lovely autumn colours and with so many friends out on the course it was a joyous if very tiring day."
We congratulate Charles on his fundraising efforts - with a magnificent sum raised of around £10,000 (generously supported by JLT) for the wonderful charity for disabled children Get Kid's Going. Charles is not stopping there and is planning more marathon fundraising in 2016, see uk.virginmoneygiving.com
