First Time Marathon Runner Attempts Robin Hood Marathon for Sherwood Wildlife
Monday 15th February
Grace Clark, a City Council worker at Glenbrook Management Centre, has taken up the challenge of running the full Nottingham Robin Hood Marathon to fundraise for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s campaign ‘Champions of Sherwood’.
After five attempts at unsuccessfully gaining a place in the London Marathon, Grace decided to try her luck locally and has secured her place in the Robin Hood Marathon this September. She has set herself a tough challenge as Grace has never run a marathon and only ever run a five kilometre race many years ago.
Grace, who works as a special educational needs casework assistant with the City Council said, “I chose to run for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust because not only did I want to raise money for a local charity I also wanted to give something back for all the lovely memories I have of walking my dog in the countryside. My dog, Charlie, sadly passed away at the start of December at the age of 13 half years old. He was my best friend and some of my fondest memories happened when we were walking in the countryside. We are also really lucky to have some bats nesting in a neighbour’s garden. Charlie and I used to love watching them flying around our garden from my living room window at dusk! It is heartbreaking to think that without conservation help, the Nottingham Wildlife would disappear and other people would not have the chance to see it too. Also, there is nothing better than going for a run or walk in the countryside!”
Training had only just started, when unfortunately, a couple of weeks in, Grace hurt her back but after a lovely spa break, training resumed. With a long run on a Sunday and at least 3 days running training a week plus a gym session Grace has a full training schedule to keep her going and ensure she is fit and ready for the big event.
Grace has her sights on the Nottingham 10K run in May first with the Derby half marathon on World Environment Day on 5th June 2016, a day Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust encourages others to fundraise on too. The big finale and main reason for fundraising will happen in September on 25th at the Nottingham Robin Hood marathon where she will join the runners for the full marathon course.
“It was a heart wrenching story about why Grace wanted to fundraise for the Trust,” said Rachel Rutherford of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, “but without support such as hers we just couldn’t do the work we carry out across the county for the benefit of local wildlife, protecting it for the future. We are especially pleased Grace is fundraising for the Champions of Sherwood campaign as we have had great success over the last year focusing on specific work with night jars and looking forward to developing the project this year with a focus on moths in the area – a natural food for night jars. An after dark theme following on from her local bat watching and wildlife nightlife with her dog Charlie!”
More information about the Champions of Sherwood campaign can be found online at www.championsofsherwood.com
Graces story can be followed on Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust facebook and on twitter as well as via her Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Just Giving page where you can read her training updates and donations can be made to help her reach her £500 target towards our work in the Sherwood Forest area.
