‘Indescribable’ marathon experience for local man
A local man has completed the London Marathon being pushed in a wheelchair by his daughter and son-in-law.
David Rowlinson has inclusion body myositis – a progressive autoimmune disease with no known cause or cure. The disease causes chronic inflammation and muscle wastage and affects about 6,000 people in the UK.
The trio have raised nearly five times their fundraising target of £3,000.
‘We were only one of 10 people pushing a wheelchair, and it took us five hours and 55 minutes,’ said Mr Rowlinson.
They had collectively chosen to fundraise for Myositis UK, which provides funding for research into a cure.
‘It’s a little-known disease so fundraising has traditionally been difficult but is vital for research into the causes and hopefully a cure,’ he said.
He said it was the first time that any of them had entered into a marathon.
‘We’re all a bit tired, it’s fair to say. The sights of running along Tower Bridge, the Mall and Canary Wharf were all amazing, and there were hundreds of supporters lining the route wherever you looked. That’s my main takeaway.
‘The noise levels from the supporters is definitely something that will live long in the memory. Other runners were tapping us on the shoulder and saying we were doing really well.’
By the time they had finished the marathon on Sunday, they had raised £14,152.
‘We are overwhelmed by the support we have had,’ said Mr Rowlinson.
The three-time island golf champion said that the trio would also take on the Guernsey half marathon in September to raise funds for Guernsey charities.
A specialist running wheelchair was used, which was sponsored by Ravenscroft.
‘I am incredibly grateful to Ravenscroft for their generosity as it wouldn’t have been possible otherwise,’ he said.
He said that the trio saw three or four others being pushed in a wheelchair, with half a dozen more pushing themselves in wheelchairs.
‘Only 10 people were allowed in wheelchairs so we made it. Overall it was absolutely amazing, the crowds, the volunteers and the support we had was almost indescribable.’
