MARATHON FUNDRAISING EFFORT IN JAPAN!
It has taken more than three years and an intense winter training schedule but our supporter Caroline Ames, from South Shields, was finally able to realise her dream of competing in the Tokyo Marathon this week.
Caroline’s original plan to run in Japan in 2020 was derailed by Covid restrictions, making this delayed marathon run particularly special. In completing it, she achieved a personal best time – an amazing 3:48 hours – and, in addition, has been raising money to help us find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer.
Caroline says: “Knowing the work that is done for people with cancer is something I wanted to support as each and every person has had a loved-one at some point that has been through it.
“The race itself was incredible, in terms of the number of people and because it was the first time international runners have taken part since 2019.
“My personal goal was to break four hours and I had put a lot of hours and miles into my training since October, running in some horrible weather conditions and through the snowy months. It more than paid off when I came in with a finish time of 3:48. That time was beyond my wildest dreams, but made me absolutely buzzing that the hard work had been totally worth it!”
Having played football for a number of different clubs around the North East, including Whitley Bay, Boldon and Durham City and scoring an FA Cup goal, Caroline is now involved in coaching and works with elite girls in the region to provide an England ‘talent pathway’ for the Lionesses.
Caroline adds: “It’s taken three years to run the marathon after originally having a place for 2020. Then I decided I wanted to raise some money for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation because Sir Bobby meant the world to me, from being at St James’ Park the day he was unveiled as manager and then watching his team play some fantastic football. That really made me love football even more, as a fan, a player and then eventually coaching myself.”
Our thanks to Caroline for her incredible commitment. To sponsor her efforts please donate here: Caroline Ames/JustGiving
