The Sussex Beacon Half Marathon
Matt McGuire does a bit of overdue sole searching, all in the name of a good cause
This week we’re off into the wardrobe. Not one of those fancy Narnia or Monsters Inc. ones, just a common-or-garden one full of all the normal stuff: favourite party clothes, dishevelled work wear, ill-fitting presents, and, of course, guiltily stowed and woefully under used sporting attire. Like Lycra-blend t-shirts and shorts. Like bright white trainers that are just too, well, bright white.
A few weeks ago I unearthed a pair of such shirking shoes in my own wardrobe and decided to put them through their paces.
“It’s not that we’re lazy,” they insisted. “It’s just the weather’s been so blooming unencouraging, hasn’t it? I mean, yes, you’re right when you say we haven’t made it out of our box quite yet, but we’re sure we’d still fit! And then there’s this ravenous appetite for sachets of silica gel that neither of us can seem to kick…”
I sat and listened to their justifications – many of them reasonable, some smacking of desperation, others simply lies. I let them say their piece and, after a moment’s pause, told them their loafing days were over. “It’s time to get you both out there,” I said to them. “There’s a less-fit-than-ideal human in need of supportive footwear and a good cause that needs your help.” Their protests were muffled. I removed the crumpled tissue paper stuffed in their insides. We got to work.
Last Sunday, 17 February, the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon took place. 5000 runners embarked on the 13.1 mile course in aid of a range of charities and, of course, themselves. All entrance fees went to The Sussex Beacon, which has been providing clinical services to Brightonians living with HIV for the last fifteen years. They hope this year’s race will have raised £120,000 towards their continuing work.
It was the mention of this thoroughly good cause that finally won over my own my trainers and they (along with 9998 other pieces of footwear) were due to line up for action at Madeira Drive on Sunday morning. Obviously, due to printing deadlines, I can’t report in this article how they got on (indeed, it’s a distinct possibility that if you look out of your window right now they’ll still be toiling around town…). However, at the time of writing they appear chipper, if slightly apprehensive, and profess themselves delighted at being able to show their support for The Sussex Beacon, a fantastic organisation doing exceptional work for people in our community.
The Sussex Beacon Half Marathon was on Sunday 17 February 2008.
Support and donations are welcome all year round.
Please visit: www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
or email: fundraising@sussexbeacon.org.uk for more info.
