Do you remember the weather we experienced over the weekend of 3rd/4th October? If not, photos of flooded roads in Aylesbury, Bishopstone and the Phoenix Trail and cancelled waste collections on the following Monday might remind you of the deluge we endured.
That flooded Sunday was the day of the London Marathon, when (due to Covid restrictions) runners weren't able to run together in London. So instead, 45,000 runners across the world attempted to run the distance in their local communities.
Haddenham resident Philippa Blowfield bravely attempted that vast distance (26.2 miles) by running laps of a very soggy Thame. How did she get on? Read Philippa's account below:
"I still can't believe it, we (yes, it was a team effort) made it, 26.2.miles in 5 hours, 15 minutes.
As most of you know it was not like any of the other previous London Marathons with runners attempting to cover the magic distance each in their own locality. This in itself proved a challenge – we each had to work out a 26.2 mile route, record it ourselves on an app on our phone, organise food and water stations (Covid safe) along the way and mind the traffic! I think the most memorable part of the route was having to run through floods four times, some going up to our mid-calf. And I still didn't get any blisters!
The huge advantage was that I had amazing support along my route from family and friends, which ordinarily wouldn't have happened and to them, I am truly grateful. In particular, I had at least one runner alongside me for 23 of the 26 miles – thank you Andrew, Pippa, Debs, Jo, Julie, Andy, Thomas F, Heather, Caroline, Thomas, Freddie, Harry and Elliot. Their support, encouragement and expertise was all invaluable.
Despite the rain and windy conditions, a huge number of people also came to cheer me on. I can't name you all but you know who you are and I was overwhelmed by your kindness. To have all those smiling cheering faces at the end was an incredible feeling and I definitely wouldn't have had that in London. And of course, a massive thank you to those who spurred me on by your incredible generosity in support of DHF Cambodia. I am truly humbled.
Finally, to my wonderful boys – Nick, Thomas, Freddie and Harry who have endured my training on and off for the last 13 months as well as organising Sunday's communications and supplies. Thank you.
Featured is a montage of pictures from the day. It rained and it rained and it flooded, but we made it!"
If you would like to add to Philippa's amazing fundraising efforts, you can do so via her JustGiving page
