This #marathonspotlight comes from the man known as “Grandad Muzungo” Mr Alan Brown. Alan is another of the Parkrun regulars and completes the pacing accurately week on week. He is currently doing a power of work for the Gathambia – Edwards Charity and will be going to Kenya again this year to help change the lives of the families there.I’m sure you’ll love this one. Thanks Alan.
Marathons completed?
Aberdeen twice , when I was 27 and 28. Edinburgh twice and Amsterdam 4 times.
PB Marathon time?
3h 48m
Favourite marathon and why?
Amsterdam, as I have only ever done there, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, which was 35 years ago.
The route started on the Beach Boulevard, and then went down Union Street, Riverside Drive, past the harbour, up the Esplanade, King Street, Market Street, the harbour again, Riverside Drive, Holburn Street, Great Western Road, North Deeside Road, Maryculter Bridge, South Deeside Road, Riverside Drive, the harbour and finished next to the Beach Boulevard.
Worst marathon memory and why?
Edinburgh, it was roasting and everyone was collapsing all over he place, plus I had on the wrong trainers, I had taken my short distance ones instead of my marathon ones. I was walking from halfway, and still managed 4h 30m exactly.
What made you take up running?
I did not start seriously till I was 46, it was Ingrid Machel who got me to join Metro as I worked with her at ARI, one of the best things I have ever done, they are a great club.
Hydration & Nutrition snack of choice on long runs?
I am a nightmare, do not have anything to eat on long runs, and I do not have breakfast before my long runs either.
Can you tell us about the Gathambia Edwards Charity that you do so much hard work for?
Being part of this great charity has changed my life. You appreciate your family and friends so much more after being in Kenya, they have nothing yet they still make you feel so welcome, it is the highlight of my year going back there every April, Myles and Gideon do fantastic work there, my friends and family have supported me in the last year by sponsoring me to the tune of £11.569 plus Gift Aid means another 25 percent on top of that. Everyone should go there a least once, it would make you appreciate what you have here.
Terrain – trail, track or tarmac?
Definitely trail, Hazelhead, Counteswells or on the sand at the beach.
Funniest running memory?
Running a half marathon in Kenya in 2015, it was my slowest time ever, but the most memorable as all the people were running through the fields shouting Grandad Muzungo (which means white man) they thought it was funny someone as old as me running, I had old women and kids running alongside me the whole race and speaking to me in Swahili. That would never happen in Aberdeen.
Tell us about your forthcoming trip to Kenya and how people can donate?
I go back to Kenya on 31st March for two weeks, when I come back I am doing a challenge for 7 days, I had 105 sponsors for my last fundraising, so I am going to run 105 miles in 7 days, that would be 15 miles a day, I am going to do different routes, but hoping to get some people to run with me if possible, and just post on Facebook for people to donate whatever they think I am worth, I will milk it for everything I can, as I will be 63 this year, as it will be quite an effort on my part, but it will make me feel as if I have given something back for the excellent work of The Gathimba Edwards Foundation in Kenya.
What a lovely read. Thank you to Alan for his time on completing the #marathonspotlight for this week. I am sure you will agree what a power of work Alan does for the charity and look forward to joining him on some of his 105mile challenge.
Thanks for reading, feel free to share, like or subscribe to the forthcoming #project345newsletter.
Run Long and Prosper
James
