DAILY Echo staff are running the ABP Southampton Half Marathon in aid of charities close to their hearts.
Five colleagues from the newspaper will be putting their bodies to the test when the starting gun fires at the landmark Hampshire race.
They are among 6,000 people tackling the 13.1-mile route next Sunday, which is expected to attract crowds of more than 12,000 people and take in some of the city’s most famous sights.
Colleagues Maxwell Kusi-Obodum, Lisa Emery and Karl Swanborough will be taking to the marks to raise money for three separate health charities.
Senior reporter James Johnson and sales administrator Matthew Masterman are also running in the Echo team, which is also competing in the race’s Corporate Challenge – a quest to find the region’s fastest business.
Senior reporter Maxwell, 32, who is fundraising for mental health charity Mind, in what is his third half marathon, said: “I am really looking forward to the challenge and running past familiar sights in Southampton.
“One in four people will be affected by a mental health problem in their lifetime.
“It is so often misunderstood and urgently needs more funding and awareness and more hard work to break down stigma.”
Lisa, an advertising executive, is running for Macmillan Cancer Support, and said: “MacMillan as they offer such great help and support to people facing cancer.
“They do a great job and are such a worthy cause to support.”
Field sales representative Karl, 31, is collecting for Leukaemia Busters, cheered on by wife Hannah and daughters Summer and Teagan.
He said: “It’s my second half marathon and one I have been looking forward to most, as Southampton is my home city.
“My family will be cheering me on at Riverside Park so I have a boost midway through.”
James, 28, said: “Work, holidays and laziness got in the way of my training but I’m up to 11.5 miles and I’ve got my fingers crossed it won't be too hot on the day.
Matthew, 22, said: “I have been training hard and am very excited to complete this personal challenge.”
To sponsor them see:
Lisa: justgiving.com/lemmersrunningagain
Maxwell: justgiving.com/Maxwell-Kusi-Obodum1
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