Taking part in the Maccabi GB fun run gave Andrew Leigh, Nightingale Hammerson's director of operations, the impression that he could comfortably complete a marathon.
“I thought: 'How much harder than a 10k can it be'?” The answer could be found in his post-race stiff back.
“Twenty-six miles long is how I found it,” Mr Leigh said plaintively. “The first 16 miles were OK but then I really hit a wall and had to dig deep. It wasn’t easy.”
Finishing in four hours 44 minutes, the 53-year-old raised £5,000 for services to Nightingale Hammerson residents.
Like most London Marathon participants, Mr Leigh said the support of the crowd was hugely important. “People were handing you a banana they had brought, or sweets, or giving you a high five. They don’t have to do any of it but they do and it really makes a difference.”
Whereas many runners listened to music on headphones to help them get through the 26 miles, Mr Leigh opted for more “mature” audio material.
“I listened to The Archers and lots of different podcasts on politics.”
Another Nightingale Hammerson staff member, Cathy Buckingham, also ran the marathon for the charity.
