EMPLOYEES from a leading Southampton shipping company will be hoping for plain sailing when they battle it out at the ABP Southampton Half Marathon.

Staff from Williams Shipping are among businesses taking to their marks for the 13.1mile run on Sunday, April 26.

Five members of the family-owned company have entered the Corporate Challenge – going head-to-head with the region’s other businesses including a team from the Southern Daily Echo who are official media partners.

The Williams contingent is training by running laps of the port, whose owners Associated British Ports (ABP) are the event’s title sponsors.

Williams director Jonathan Williams who is also a member of Romsey Road Runners said: “When we heard there was going to be a brand new half marathon we instantly knew we wanted to be right there in the thick of it.

“Our main aim is to have fun and come together with the people of Southampton but we’ll certainly give the corporate challenge our best shot!”

ABP Southampton port director Nick Ridehalgh said: “It’s great to see so many port-based businesses have signed up.

“I’m sure we’ll reveal our competitive streaks on the day though as we all battle it out to be the fastest company over the finish line!”

No limits to workers’ fundraising

Daily Echo:

THEY spend their day jobs motivating vulnerable youngsters and helping them turn their lives around.

Now youth workers from a Southampton charity will unite to support runners tackling the Associated British Ports (ABP) Southampton Half Marathon.

Representatives from No Limits are the latest to sign up as ABP Milemakers for the mass running event on Sunday, April 26.

The 25-strong team made-up of volunteers, staff and young people will be cheering on runners as loudly as then can from the roadside.

All Milemaker groups receive a £200 donation from ABP and the group voted most motivational by spectators will receive a £500 prize.

The charity is using it towards running its drop in centres providing advice, counselling and information for youngsters living in the city.

Fundraiser Natalie Hutchins said: “Our drop-in centres are the first point of contact with many young people we see through our doors, but the cost of rent, heating and food bills are always rising.

“Without the drop-in centres, many young people would never be able to use our counselling service, get help with housing issues or visit our drugs and alcohol clinics.”

 

Expert advice

Daily Echo:

Training tips from Dr Stewart Cotterill, head of sport and exercise at Winchester University, on how to get into the right mindset, both before and during the run

Before the race:

  • Ensure you are hydrated for both body and mind. Being dehydrated by just two per cent can scupper your ability to think straight and affect your mindset and performance.
  • Get a good night’s sleep to ensure your mind is fresh for the big day.
  • The unexpected can put you off your stride – remove the element of the unknown trying out parts of the route while training or practice motivational sayings for when the going gets tough.
  • During the race
  • Pain gets worse when you focus on it – use distraction techniques to draw your mind away from aches and pains.
  • Find a distraction technique that works for you – some people like to sing songs in their head, others count to 100 or focus on the runner ahead of them.
  • Actually imagine yourself doing well and passing through the finish line. Evidence shows that using positive imagery helps us to succeed even when we think we can’t.
  • Set yourself small, achievable targets as you go along – whether it’s hitting the next mile in 10 minutes or getting past the next 20 lamp posts, the positive boost from achieving your goal will help you tackle the next one.