If you’d usually ‘run a mile’ at the thought of running a marathon – this innovative idea might just be for you!
The No Way Marathon 2017 is the brainchild of London Marathon runner Katherine Bellenie and is for those of us who wouldn’t consider taking on the real running challenge.
Instead of pounding the streets of London for 26 miles in April, those who sign up to the No Way Marathon 2017 get to sit on the sofa for the full duration of their non-event!
“This is a great opportunity to take part in a marathon that never happens and raise money for Meningitis Now,” Katherine, from Horsham in West Sussex, said.
“I am actually crazy enough to be running the London Marathon for charity Meningitis Now this year, but most of my friends would never consider doing it, and their reaction is ‘No Way’.
“So, I’m giving them the opportunity to enter the No Way Marathon instead – all the benefits of entering a marathon but none of the hassle!”
Medal
If you sign up you get your very own running number, which in the spirit of the No Way Marathon, you must not cut out and wear! You will also get a medal for your dedication, and an email containing information about the symptoms of meningitis which you should cut out and keep.
In addition to the bespoke medal, you will also get a sense of smugness that goes with telling all your friends you completed a marathon from your sofa!
Anyone can enter the No Way Marathon, there are no age restrictions and your pets can get involved too! It costs £10 for adults and £5 for children or pets - or more if you want to. For more information and to register visit the website www.nowaymarathon.com or email info@nowaymarathon.com
Training tips
The website offers handy training tips for the No Way Marathon such as; take the lift instead of using the stairs to save energy, have a lie in, and catch up with those boxsets you’ve been meaning to watch for ages.
Katherine will be running the London Marathon on 23 April to raise money and say ‘thank you’ to Meningitis Now, the charity who supported a good friend of hers when her two-year-old son contracted the disease in 2013.
“Luckily he survived”, Katherine said, “but their world was turned upside down and they’ve had to work incredibly hard to figure out a way of living with the effects of this terrible illness.”
Emily Millington, Events Manager at Meningitis Now, said: “What a brilliant fundraising idea this is and we hope lots of people will sign up and support Katherine’s initiative.
“As a charity that receives no Government funding we rely entirely on the generosity, energy and initiative of our supporters to raise the vital funds we need to carry out our lifesaving and life-changing work.
“Katherine’s efforts will make a real difference to those who are at risk from meningitis and those whose lives have already been changed forever because of it.”
So, if you’re ready to stay on your sofa, not run a marathon, and collect your medal - then sign up now!
On your marks… get set… go!
