Fitness enthusiast and church leader Simon Blanchflower will be taking to the line at 2017 London Marathon this Sunday. As a fitness enthusiast we asked Simon what he’ll be hoping to achieve by completing the world famous 26.2 mile route.
When did you decide to run the London Marathon?
The last few years I have been seeking out and completing a number of physical challenges like half IRONMAN triathlons, the Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon and the 15 Peaks in Snowdonia. So, when looking for my challenge for 2017 it seemed like a marathon would be ideal.
What inspired you to run for Shaftesbury?
I am part of the leadership team at a Shaftesbury Link Church – one in a network of churches with a strong focus on reaching out into the local community. I have attended the church for over 30 years and very inspired by the work that Shaftesbury does.
How have you found the training?
The training is very time consuming – for the last 17 weeks I have been on an intermediate level training programme running 4 times a week. One good thing about running so much means I now know the streets, parks and canals of my area very well. The most challenging part of the training has been facing the weather, including one memorable evening running in the snow.
What time are you hoping for?
Although I am in my mid-50s I still seem to be able to run faster each year and recently ran my fastest half marathon since I was 21! So my target for 2017 is to get as close to 3 hours 30 mins as I can.
What are you looking forward to most about the London Marathon?
The crowds lining the route cheering runners on – it will make a change from all the late evening runs where I hardly saw a soul!