Peterborough Perkins Great Eastern Half Marathon , 11 October 2015

Shipmate Pete Aston completed the Peterborough Perkins Great Eastern Half Marathon on Sunday 11th October, a mere 9 months and 4 days since he stated running. The day started well with a warm up at the embankment area of Peterborough.

The weather was fantastic and not too cold, ideal for running. Pete took his place in the 2Hrs 30 Mins to 2 Hrs 45 Mins pen and just after 10:30 set off. The route took the runners through the city centre, housing estates and suburbs past hundreds of spectators giving loads of encouragement and cheering the crowds on. The crowds were fantastic and loads were handing out sweets and snacks.

Pete got into a good running pace and was able to maintain this throughout the first 9 miles where something happened that would leave a lasting and emotional memory for life. Pete was, on behalf of Huntingdon RNA running for BLESMA, The Limbless Veterans Charity and when he reached the 9 Mile mark he heard somebody shout out “Look its BLESMA, Look (name mentioned but not remembered) its BLESMA”, he looked across to see a group of people and in the middle was a young man in a regimental T Shirt and a prosthetic leg. Pete ran over and the young man held out his hand for a Hi-Five and simply said, “Thank You, Thank You”, with tears rolling down his face. This will stay with Pete for the rest of his life.

Pete managed to raise £610 for BLESMA, The Limbless Veterans and would like to thanks Family, Friends and Shipmates for their kind donations. Pete also grew a beard for the event and he said it took longer to shave it off than run the race. Petes chip time was 2:49:59.

BZ Shipmate, a cracking effort.

 

More images from S/M Pete Aston’s Half Marathon: