David Newton
Education Coordinator
TIME: 1 hour, 45 minutes, 45 seconds
“I wanted to support the Royal Hospital and take on a new challenge”
Why did you decide to do the half marathon?
I wanted to support the Royal Hospital and take on a new challenge.
Have you done anything similar before?
No – but I’ve done sports all my life.
How have you been preparing?
I’ve been jogging and in the gym. I run near the Royal Hospital. I tend to go down the Thames to Fulham, Putney, Chiswick area. I’ve been trying to watch what I eat too and not eat everything! Pensioner Tony Hunt – the Royal Hospital’s marathon expert – has also given me some advice.
What are your hopes and goals?
I’m hoping to do under two hours – that’s the challenge I’ve set myself. I’ve set a fundraising target of £100. My family back home have supported me.
What are you looking forward to least – and most?
I’m looking forward to crossing the line and to the free beer! No traffic will be nice. It will be good to see the Chelsea Pensioners too – a few of them have said they’ll come and cheer us on. I’m most apprehensive about the last three kilometres. I can do 18 pretty comfortably but after that is the tricky bit – everything turns to treacle. If it rains that will be a downer too.