Friends encourage each other to tackle challenge

Last year Bebe Pentland asked Juanita Byrne if she thought she could run a marathon.

Mrs Byrne said she could do anything she set her mind to and would apply to run one as well.

The London Marathon will be Mrs Pentland’s first. She started training last year but has said she will not be putting pressure on herself.

‘I am looking forward to the big day, it is such a huge event and a privilege to get a place so I plan to enjoy every minute and soak up the atmosphere,’ she said.

‘I am happy I don’t have the pressure of wanting to get a certain time so I can just see how my body works on the day and try and get it done in five hours.

‘Then there will be a family celebration as I will meet up with my adult children who all now live in England.’

She said she put in a charity bid to run for the Tumaini Fund following a visit to Tanzania with family.

‘These people lead hard lives and yet are so joyful and thankful,’ she said.

‘I felt drawn to do something difficult on their behalf and to try and do it cheerfully.’

Running the 5k Race for Life a couple of years ago was like a marathon for Mrs Byrne, who had undergone surgery on her leg to remove a malignant growth following a skin cancer diagnosis.

The surgery meant there was some muscle and nerve damage that left her with a limp, but she was determined to walk properly again.

Although she did not initially get awarded a charity place for Le Rondin, she said she would carry on training with her friend.

‘She was lucky to get a place, but I was not successful, as places are hard to come by,’ she said.

‘Despite my disappointment, because I had committed to support her, I carried on training with her, even though I didn’t have a space.

‘It was tricky to keep motivated knowing I wouldn’t run the race.’

However, a few weeks later she heard that Whizz-Kidz, a charity that supports children with disabilities, were looking for people to run for them and fundraise.

‘Bebe and I have helped each other overcome our challenges and I am driven by the fact that so many children locally, and in other parts of the world, have so much more to overcome and face daily struggles. The discomfort of running a marathon pales into insignificance,’ she said.

To sponsor Mrs Pentland and donate to the Tumaini Fund, visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/giving/ and type in Bebe.

To sponsor Mrs Byrne and donate to Whizz-Kidz visit: https://whizz-kidz-london-marathon18.everydayhero.com/uk/juanita