James runs the London Marathon for GOSH
- General
- 06/10/2022
We thought we’d give one of Fisk Group’s Directors, James Moughton, a few days to recover before catching up with him to hear all about his London Marathon run in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).
So, now that he’s feeling a little more back to normal, we thought we’d ask him a few questions.
James, for those of us not familiar with the Marathon route, what’s it like?
Well, the London Marathon is officially 26.2 miles, but it honestly felt like it was twice that after I had reached the 15-mile mark. It’s a flat point-to-point running course starting at Blackheath, passing through Greenwich, then onto Tower Bridge, past Canary Wharf, before travelling back through the other side of Shadwell, along the Thames Embankment and Westminster ahead of turning onto The Mall and finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. You couldn’t cover much more of London.
Why did you decide to take on the challenge?
I ran the London Marathon on behalf of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) seven years ago. It was an incredible achievement then and so ever since I have entered the ballet each year, and this time I was successful. As soon as I heard that I would participate, I knew I would be fundraising for GOSH again.
Why did you choose Great Ormond Street Hospital?
It’s hard to put into words quite how much of an impact GOSH makes to the lives of so many children and their families. Every day, around 600 children and young people arrive for life-changing treatment. Young lives very much hang in the balance as patients, families and the amazing staff battle complex illnesses, but GOSH is an incredibly inspiring, hopeful place to be. Fundraising helps on so many levels. It helps with rebuilding and refurbishment, provides support for families, and funds vital medical research and life-saving equipment.
GOSH also happens to be a client of Fisk Group’s. Every time I make a site visit, I am reminded of just how invaluable their work is to so many people.
I raised just over £1,000 through my Just Giving page, so I can’t say thank everyone enough!
Did you experience any challenges?
Unfortunately, I was dealing with a painful case of plantar fasciitis, which, if you’ve ever experienced it, is a debilitating inflammation of the plantar fascia muscle in the sole of your foot.
Thankfully, a family friend of mine, who just so happens to be an incredible physiotherapist, Richard Harper of Physiotherapy Essex, offered me free weekly physio sessions. Every year he kindly supports a London Marathon runner in this way; this year, it was my turn. If it wasn’t for Richard, I wouldn’t have been able to run.
He gave me physio treatment and very specific instructions to help heal my plantar fasciitis in time for the Marathon. On the day itself, I hardly felt the pain in my foot – quite possibly due to the burning sensation in my legs (marathon runners will know what I mean!).
I gave myself a target of completing the course in under 4 hours. Although I was a little slower than last time, I made it round in 3 hours and 34 minutes, so I am pleased with that.
What was the highlight of your experience?
It has to be seeing my family and friends at miles 15, 18 and again at the finish line. It was amazing to have them cheer me on and see my children’s faces at the end.
There were a few other highlights too. When you’re amongst so many people on their own journey and running for charities they care about, there’s a real feeling of togetherness, even though I was running on my own. I even saw one runner dressed as a giant trainer.
A personal highlight for me, though, was being handed a bottle of Lucozade at mile 20 by Anthony Joshua. I thought I was seeing things a first, but he was there helping and supporting people on their final stretch.
Would you do it again?
If you’d have asked me on Monday, I would probably have said no but the answer is yes. It was a fantastic experience, and I want to thank everyone who supported me in my journey.
There’s still time to sponsor James if you’d like to. Just head over to his Just Giving page. It’d be great if we could help him raise even more.