Tony Britton, Fundraising Manager, ME Association.
Spare a thought for our entrants in the London Landmarks Half Marathon. Denied the chance now to run with 15,000 others through central London on 29th March, they could soon be pounding the streets near you to win their event medal – providing they keep strictly to the latest Government guidelines on social separation.
The organisers of the event announced this week the timetable for a brand-new event to make up for the loss of 29th March. Called the ‘Local Landmarks Challenge‘, our 19 entrants are now being invited to run around their own neighbourhoods so long as they are not out of doors doing more than their usual daily quota of exercise.
And, excitingly, anyone else can join in this new exercise challenge in order to raise funds for the ME Association.
- Apply for your place: The Local Landmarks Challenge
The Local Landmarks Challenge opens today and will last until Sunday, 3rd May. The organisers said:
“This is a solo, virtual challenge. Do not organise to do this in groups. The current Government advice is that it's safe to go outside to run once a day alone or with a member of your household as long as you keep a safe distance from other people (at least a two-meter distance).
“But you must also follow Government advice and minimise the amount of time you are outside – so please ensure that you complete the challenge as part of your daily exercise routine. It is essential that you do not exercise outside more than you would normally.
“If the Government advice changes, the Local Landmarks Challenge will be paused, and re-opened for the remaining duration once it is safe to do so.”
One member of the ME Association team, Anita Walton, has already gloriously jumped the gun. She completed the whole half marathon with a muddy run near her home in Hinckley, Leicestershire, last weekend.
But now the rules have been tightened considerably, with people being instructed that they must run the distance in stages and even across several days.
This is a great way to help the ME Association through these difficult times. But remember these key messages: You mustn't run more than your usual daily exercise routine. Avoid crowds. And swerve well away – at least two metres, and probably more – rather than cross anyone else's path.
We invite people wanting to take part to link up with us on JustGiving. You can set up your own fundraising page by clicking on the ‘Fundraise for us' button there. Every little bit of support you can give will help.
Entrants in the new race are being invited to adopt the event's strapline on their fundraising pages “The Grand. The Quirky. The Hidden.”
- Apply for your place: The Local Landmarks Challenge
The challenge is open to everyone, whether you have a place in LLHM 2020 or not, and distances over 5k qualify for the challenge.
You can complete your total distance over a number of runs and multiple days – you do not need to complete it in one go. A new medal is being struck for those who successfully complete the local challenge.
At the moment – while the ME Association office is locked up for the duration of this pandemic – we cannot offer MEA supporters a running vest or T-shirt. But we will be cheering you on in spirit and remain incredibly grateful to anyone who champions our cause.
People may still want to run the London Landmarks Half Marathon and that possibility hasn't been ruled out. But so far the organisers have not yet been offered a new date.
Help and Support
How you choose to help the ME Association is entirely up to you, and we are incredibly grateful for any support you can provide.
Contact our Fundraising Manager, Tony Britton, if you want to discuss any fundraising ideas or require support for your event. Telephone: 01406 370293 or 07946 760811 or via Email.
The ME Association
Please support our vital work
We are a national charity working hard to make the UK a better place for people whose lives have been devastated by an often-misunderstood neurological disease.
If you would like to support our efforts and ensure we are able to inform, support, advocate and invest in biomedical research, then please donate today.
Just click the image opposite or visit our JustGiving page for one-off donations or to establish a regular payment. You can even establish your own fundraising event.
Or why not join the ME Association as a member and be part of our growing community? For a monthly (or annual) subscription you will also receive ME Essential – quite simply the best M.E. magazine!
ME Association Registered Charity Number 801279