The London Marathon. One of the great British sporting events, combining elite athletics, mass participation and record-breaking fundraising in one race. This year, Sumir Karayi, CEO of 1E, will be undertaking his first marathon, a gruelling 26 miles 385 yards in a test of endurance and willpower – passing through the streets of London from Blackheath to the famous finish line at The Mall on Sunday 21 April.
It’s not all hunger games though – as its many participants raise some incredible donations for various worthwhile charities. This year, Sumir will be running on behalf of the British Association of Adoption and Fostering (BAAF).
Here’s what Sumir had to say about his latest training session:
“It’s Sunday and while some of you have probably been relaxing I have been running for nearly 3 hours and am definitely dead as it’s the longest I have ever run. You may well say – well he is stupid! And you may be right.
BUT
It’s for a great cause. I am running my first marathon on behalf of BAAF – British Adoption and Fostering. BAAF do a tremendous job of helping children find loving homes. If you would like to sponsor me and thus help BAAF then please follow the link below. Needless to say I could have trained more and I will suffer :-)”
It really is for a great cause – if you have a few pounds or dollars to spare, please donate as you’ll be helping to give many children a childhood that we’ve all been lucky to have experienced. You can donate to Sumir’s virginmoneygiving page here.
You’ll also have the knowledge that Sumir will be aching tremendously as Mo Farah, double Olympic champion, is planning to run only half of the marathon. Does that make Sumir double the man that Mo Farah is? We’ll see.
So in the spirit of giving, here’s some fun marathon facts for you to enjoy 🙂
- The fastest marathon run by a marching band is at 7 hours and 55 minutes
- The fastest marathon run on crutches is at 6 hours 24 minutes and 48 seconds
- And the fastest marathon run whilst skipping with a rope is at 4 hours 28 minutes and 48 seconds (you can find more amazing and delightful records here)
- The current 26 miles and 385 yards distance came about because at the 1908 London Olympics, the length of the course was increased to be closer to Windsor Castle so the Royal Family could watch.
- The ‘winner’ of the marathon at the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri, Frederick Lorz, went most of the way by car.
- In that same 1904 Olympic marathon, Fourth place was awarded to a Cuban postman named Felix Carbajal, despite falling ill to apples he ate from an orchard en route.
- And also in that eventful 1904 marathon, Len Taw, one of the first black African competitors in the Olympic Games, finished 9th despite being chased a mile or so off course by a large dog.
- The idea for the London Marathon was dreamed up in a pub by Chris Brasher, the athlete and journalist.
