Skip to main content
The Actuary: The magazine of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries - return to the homepage Logo of The Actuary website
  • Search
  • Visit The Actuary Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit The Actuary Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @TheActuaryMag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Logo of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Main navigation

  • News
  • Features
    • General Features
    • Interviews
    • Students
    • Opinion
  • Topics
  • Knowledge
    • Business Skills
    • Careers
    • Events
    • Predictions by The Actuary
    • Whitepapers
    • Moody's - Climate Risk Insurers series
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
  • Jobs
  • IFoA
    • CEO Comment
    • IFoA News
    • People & Social News
    • President Comment
  • Archive
Quick links:
  • Home
  • The Actuary Issues
  • May 2019
05

Marathon in memory 

Open-access content Wednesday 8th May 2019 — updated 5.50pm, Wednesday 29th April 2020

Regular charity runner Charles Cowling recently completed one of the world’s six marathon majors, Tokyo, with son and actuarial student Tom.

marathon


Charles is running three marathons to raise funds for the Brathay Trust in memory of good friends Martin and Matt Campbell. Matt tragically collapsed and died 3.7 miles from the finish of the 2018 London marathon; he was running for The Brathay Trust and in memory of his father, Martin, who had died in the summer of 2016.

"Tokyo is home to the greatest marathon lovers on the planet, but because of the time difference I would be running on jet-lagged legs, effectively in the middle of the night," said Charles. "This was my first visit to Japan and I was taken aback by how kind and courteous everyone was. 

"But that kindness did not extend to the weather. It was cold and wet. With over an hour of standing around at the start-line, body temperatures dropped and the countdown to the start got slower and slower. At last we were underway. The relief as cold muscles were shaken into action was palpable. 

"Tokyo is a fascinating city, so exotic, so different - but also so familiar, with a Starbucks seemingly on every corner. Crowds lined the route with bands, musicians and dancers providing wonderful examples of Japanese culture, past and present. We wanted to stop and watch and listen, but that was not an option. Mile after mile through wind and rain was all that was on our minds.

"The Tokyo marathon has a number of out-and-back loops. I'd never before seen the leaders of a marathon out in front - an uplifting sight; a reminder of the privilege that we were 'competing' in the same race as these elite runners.        

"The finish, in the gardens by the Imperial Palace, was special. Even with tired legs screaming in pain it was a magnificent feeling. I had climbed that mountain once again in four hours and six minutes, this time in a city that really appreciates what it takes to get to that finish line. Although Tom was way ahead of me in two hours and 50 minutes, I was able to take some comfort from the fact that the next morning his legs were suffering even more than mine.

"So one down - Boston and London next. Matt and Martin, I salute and remember you every step of the way."


Call for your news… 

We would be delighted to hear from you if you have any newsworthy items for these pages. Please contact Yvonne Wan at: [email protected]

This article appeared in our May 2019 issue of The Actuary.
Click here to view this issue
Filed in
05
Topics
General Insurance

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Life Actuarial Trainee

England
Up to £55000.00 per annum
Reference
145815

Catastrophe Manager - Top Performing Syndicate

England, London
£70000 - £94000 per annum
Reference
145814

Senior Pricing Analyst

London, England
£40000 - £80000 per annum
Reference
145813
See all jobs »
 
 

Today's top reads

 
 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to The Actuary

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
Spread-iPad-slantB-june.png

Topics

  • Data Science
  • Investment
  • Risk & ERM
  • Pensions
  • Environment
  • Soft skills
  • General Insurance
  • Regulation Standards
  • Health care
  • Technology
  • Reinsurance
  • Global
  • Life insurance
​
FOLLOW US
The Actuary on LinkedIn
@TheActuaryMag on Twitter
Facebook: The Actuary Magazine
CONTACT US
The Actuary
Tel: (+44) 020 7880 6200
​

IFoA

About IFoA
Become an actuary
IFoA Events
About membership

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to The Actuary Magazine
Contribute

The Actuary Jobs

Actuarial job search
Pensions jobs
General insurance jobs
Solvency II jobs

© 2023 The Actuary. The Actuary is published on behalf of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries by Redactive Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ