Kiln Sierra Leone Marathon

On Saturday 9th June 2012, Makeni saw the first ever marathon to be run in Sierra Leone and I was fortunate enough to take part.  The event was organised by a charity called Street Child of Sierra Leone, a charity which started to mean a lot to me whilst I spent time in the 5th poorest country in the world.

Having arrived in Sierra Leone on the Wednesday, my instant reaction upon landing was "what the hell have I got myself into?!" Within 48 hours, I felt at home, surrounded by chaos and an attitude in which waiting 2 hours for a sandwich was to be expected! Before I left the UK, I received a lot of comments about how crazy I was, not to get shot, to be safe, etc... but I can honestly say, Sierra Leone was such a welcoming and safe country that I'd recommend it to everybody (I've even gone as far as saying it's probably safer than London).  Sierra Leonians may not be rich financially, but they certainly are in so many other ways.  


I could go on (grab me for a beer if you want to hear more), but I went there to run a marathon so how was that?

Due to the intense heat and humidity, the race was due to start at 6:30am, as soon as it gets light.  This meant an early morning pick up of 5:30am.  Pre-race meal? If a packet of jaffa cakes over the course of the night counts, then I had prepared perfectly.  By 6am, we were at the start line which was being held up by one of the volunteers.


Come 6:30(ish), a band opposite the start line began playing (what sounded like a death march) and soon after, we set off.  Marathon and half-marathon runners (and some 5k) set off for what was going to be a land-mark event.  



If you weren't sure what to expect from the run, you quickly realised this was no traditional course.  Within moments, you were on an undulating route, dodging water filled pot holes and being cheered on by the locals.  It wasn't long before you were out of Makeni on remote tracks running through villages filled with bemused onlookers (including goats).


To say that conditions were tough is an understatement.  By 8:30am, we were running in temperatures of over 30 degrees, humidity of over 90% and on a hilly course with no shade.  You wouldn't have criticised anybody for giving up, but having come this far, it was never an option.


7 miles in (roughly - the mile markers weren't exactly reliable... if you could find them... which I couldn't), a woman with her 2 children, baskets on their heads started running alongside me.  I joked that she could run to the finish with me (I'm not sure she understood more than the word finish) and when she was still with me half an hour later, I thought that she might actually be doing so! Soon after, we'd reached her village and she peeled off, allowing me to continue alone.  Or so I thought... Within seconds, a young boy joined me, grabbed my hand and ran with me for another 10 minutes.  If there was any thought of me walking, these 2 acts put paid to that.  Throughout the race, a huge number of people were thanking me...  To them, it wasn't just about the money we were raising (I'm not sure they were even aware of this), they were thanking us for the faith we were putting in their country, a country desperate to re-establish itself after the war.

As the field spread out, I found myself running/walking alone.  



Occasionally, I'd catch up with somebody, walk and chat for a while before trotting off.  There were certainly times when I wondered if I was even on the right course until a bike or car would come along, checking that I was ok with an offer of water.  The event organisation was superb.


With a few miles to go, you hit the main road and knew that the finish was nearing.  Not soon enough.  The hustle and bustle of Makeni didn't stop for us, we ran alongside the main road with the trucks and lorries pumping out their daily fumes, seeming oblivious to what was going on around them.



Five and half hours after setting off, the finish line was in sight and the sense of achievement really started to hit home.  I may not have set the world alight with my time, but I'd visited a country that most people fear (once again, I'll stress how safe it is) and ran a marathon in ridiculous conditions (which probably isn't quite as safe).  I'd earned the burger and beer that I got at the finish line (like a true athlete)!

I'd travelled with 3 others, Martin (who I work with), Sarah (his wife) and Oli (who'd travelled around Africa with Martin and Sarah).  They all did ridiculous sub 4 hour times (Martin passed out upon finishing, Sarah won the ladies race and Oli can't remember the last few miles and was delirious at the end) but were still no match for a local runner who it's rumoured to have been a child soldier during the war.  It seems fitting that the race was won by a local with such a history.


The week after the marathon, I enjoyed the local beaches and food (mainly barracuda), wondering if this is the life for me, away from the stresses of modern life.  



Take the opportunity to visit Sierra Leone before the package holidays get there and start to change the culture.  It's an incredible country with a lot to offer. You could even take part in next year's marathon!


Run 1: 42,000m - around Sierra Leone.


Running Total: 742,810m




Sponsor Street Child - Organisers of the marathon
Sponsor Oxford Transplant Foundation - My chosen charity

It's nearly marathon time

In 1 week, I'll have run my first ever marathon.  Should I be excited? Because I'm not! I can safely say this will be a once in a lifetime experience!


On Wednesday, I fly out to Sierra Leone.  My running total raised for Oxford Transplant Foundation currently stands at £655.  A massive thank you to everybody who's sponsored me.  It's tough going and my body's starting to dislike me with a painful niggle in my left knee.  I'm not sure 2 weeks rest is perfect preparation but it is what it is! So here's an update of my running total, 3 weeks to update you on...


Week 1
Run 1: 9,960m down through Rotherhithe.
Run 2: 13,120m exploring through Rotherhithe again. 
Run 3: 7,250m to the pub in Canary Wharf


Week 2
Run 1: 9,650m down to Westminster bridge and back.
Run 2: 9,300m doing the same Westminster bridge run again


Week 3
Run 1: 5,930m down to Blackfriars bridge
Run 2: 9,620m down to Westminster bridge
Run 3: 19,510m, the knee destroying run along the seafront down to Sandbanks.


Running Total: 700,810m