Runners make marathon effort for charity (From Times Series)

Runners make marathon effort for charity

RUNNERS from across the area braved 26 miles to run in the London Marathon yesterday.

Bettina Jacobs

Borehamwood teacher Bettina Jacobs ran the marathon for the first time and was one of seven runners to cross the finishing line to raise funds for charity Kisharon.

Mrs Jacobs, who is an art teacher at Immanuel College School, in Bushey, has raised over £3500 for the charity which helps Jewish children and adults with learning difficulties.

Her finishing time was five hours and three minutes.

She said: "I put in a lot of effort into training and it was going well until I got a dodgy knee, but I was fine. I ran for 21 miles, then I walked and jogged and seeing family and friends gave me the boost to finish.

“The crowds were incredible and I enjoyed the camaraderie with the other runners, I caught up with another runner wearing a Kisharon vest, who I now know was Brian Resnick, and we ran together for a while.

“I have fulfilled the dream of running the marathon, it was one of my lifelong ambitions. Now I am looking forward to getting back to normal, to having my Sundays back and having more time for family and friends and for socialising. It has made me realise the true dedication of the professional athletes."

Another first-time runner Dom Rosenfeld, 20, from Radlett, who is studying geography at Birmingham University, completed the marathon in just over four hours and hopes to raise £2,500.

He said: “I hit a wall at 23 miles but the atmosphere was unbelievable and I got quite emotional when I saw my friends in the crowd and heard them cheering me on.”

Mr Rosenfeld's aunt Caryl lives in a Norwood residential care home in Hendon.

Norwood supports people with learning disabilities and children and families in need. He added: “It is great to raise money for a charity which does such great work.”

Couple Karin and Michael Hirsch, from Elstree, raised a total of £8,000.

Mrs Hirsch said: “My husband Michael finished in four hours and 23 minutes and I powerwalked it in six hours and seven minutes.

“Michael has raised in excess of £7000 for Breast Cancer Haven and I have raised in excess of £1000 for North London Hospice. We both improved on our times from the previous years.”

Did you complete the 26.2 mile course? Tell us how you did by leaving a comment below or email pictures to ssharma@london.newsquest.co.uk or telephone 07824 530136.