Charities win marathon
12:25pm Tuesday 24th April 2007 in Sport By Miriam Weiner
Keep on running: Narendra Pisal in training
For some it was their first time, for others was it was just one more marathon of many, but everyone wished for rain.
More than 35,000 people turned up on Sunday to run 26 miles in weather more fitting to mid-July.
Antonia Wilson, a first-time runner, was one of nine raising a total of £16,000 for a new baby unit at the Whittington Hospital in Archway.
"I could have done with a bit of rain," said the 42-year-old. "But it was an experience I've always wanted to have."
Miss Wilson raised £2,000 and completed the mammoth effort despite struggle over the final six miles.
Joining her on her run for Whittington Hospital was gynaecologist Narendra Pisal, 40. He finished the gruelling event in just over five hours and raised £2,500.
Mr Pisal, pleased with the time on his first marathon run, said he is now discovering the true meaning of the phrase no pain, no gain.'"
"I'm a little sore," he said. "I am still having trouble getting down the stairs."
And while Miss Wilson and Mr Pisal are beginners, Mike McGowan, 57, of Lordship Lane, Wood Green, is what you could call a veteran, having run six marathons. It is something he has been practising for a while.
"I used to do long-distance running in school," he said. "It was a better alternative to rugby."
Mr McGowan raised nearly £1,000 for Action for Kids, a small Hornsey-based charity that focuses on helping children with disabilities. He first learned about the charity when he was sold raffle tickets last year.
He added: "I noticed that it was local, and I bought the tickets, and then I thought let's do a bit more.'"
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