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The glory of London's Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon The glory of London's Royal Parks Foundation half marathon
(about 4 hours later)
A few hours ago I completed my third Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon, which was blessed with the beautiful autumn sunshine that has shone each time I’ve taken part in what is surely one of the capital’s loveliest mass participation events.A few hours ago I completed my third Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon, which was blessed with the beautiful autumn sunshine that has shone each time I’ve taken part in what is surely one of the capital’s loveliest mass participation events.
This year the course was slightly different from before, taking in Whitehall as far as the gates of Downing Street, a loop round Aldwych and a full-on glamour stretch down The Mall before cutting back through Green Park, into Hyde Park and twice past the Serpentine, before a final two miles through Kensington Gardens and back into Hyde again for the closing straight.This year the course was slightly different from before, taking in Whitehall as far as the gates of Downing Street, a loop round Aldwych and a full-on glamour stretch down The Mall before cutting back through Green Park, into Hyde Park and twice past the Serpentine, before a final two miles through Kensington Gardens and back into Hyde again for the closing straight.
A record 16,000 people entered the race this year. I crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 44 minutes and 8 seconds, my best ever time over the distance. I am insufferably pleased with myself but also humbled, as ever, to have been in the company of so many fellow runners who were exerting themselves in aid of an array of charities.A record 16,000 people entered the race this year. I crossed the finish line in 1 hour, 44 minutes and 8 seconds, my best ever time over the distance. I am insufferably pleased with myself but also humbled, as ever, to have been in the company of so many fellow runners who were exerting themselves in aid of an array of charities.
The organisers say over £21m was raised in the first seven years of the event. I’ve been trying to add £500 to that growing total for the Fiorentini Foundation, which helps children from low income families attend the Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School. This fantastic social enterprise enables young people of all abilities to take part in the performing arts in evenings and at weekends, including brilliant annual variety shows at the Hackney Empire theatre and the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham. I’m a bit short of my target, but there’s still plenty of time to donate. All contributions to this deserving cause would be greatly appreciated.The organisers say over £21m was raised in the first seven years of the event. I’ve been trying to add £500 to that growing total for the Fiorentini Foundation, which helps children from low income families attend the Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School. This fantastic social enterprise enables young people of all abilities to take part in the performing arts in evenings and at weekends, including brilliant annual variety shows at the Hackney Empire theatre and the Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham. I’m a bit short of my target, but there’s still plenty of time to donate. All contributions to this deserving cause would be greatly appreciated.
The half marathon also helps support the Royal Parks Foundation in its task of maintaining London’s eight Royal Parks themselves. Those “green lungs” are some of the greatest public treasures of the city and among the many precious institutions having to cope with national government cuts. Four of them have just given me a great day. Long may they all do the same for many millions of fellow Londoners and visitors each year.The half marathon also helps support the Royal Parks Foundation in its task of maintaining London’s eight Royal Parks themselves. Those “green lungs” are some of the greatest public treasures of the city and among the many precious institutions having to cope with national government cuts. Four of them have just given me a great day. Long may they all do the same for many millions of fellow Londoners and visitors each year.