Runner completes solo marathon for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice

A father of two who made a mistake in his marathon application form was not beaten as he vowed to run in aid of a North Anston children’s hospice.
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Nick Goodson was all fired up to compete in the London Marathon in 2019. But after many months of fundraising, not to mention training, he was left red-faced.

To his horror, with just days to go, he realised he had made a mistake with his entry and didn’t actually have a place.

But rather than let everyone down, as thousands ran the London route Nick hit the streets of Sheffield solo to run his own version.

Refusing to let friends accompany him or even cheer him on, he set off from and ran through Sheffield’s industrial backwaters. A long and lonely five hours and four minutes later, he had raised £14,000 for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice at North Anston.

This year, he will definitely be running the London Marathon in the capital – thanks to Bluebell Wood.

When the hospice heard it had been awarded one charity place for the 2020 race, its corporate fundraising manager Rachael Dawes invited supporters to pitch for it.

Nick entered and was over the moon to win.

He said: “I hardly dare believe that this time, I’m really going to be there, especially now I realise how hard it is to get a place - even if you do the paperwork right.”

The 45-year-old started training on January 2 and has cajoled colleagues and suppliers to sponsor him and should raise a further £14,000 for the hospice.

He added: “Last year it was a lonely and painful experience because I didn’t have the amazing atmosphere of the London event to boost me.

“This year is going to be a walk in the park.”

Rachael Dawes, of Bluebell Wood, said: “Nick must have been so disappointed when he discovered he wasn’t heading to London, yet he showed true grit and ran his own race rather than let everyone down.

“We are delighted he is going to be running for us in London on Sunday, April 26, and so grateful to him and every other marathon entrant who will be raising sponsorship money for us that day.”

To sponsor Nick, go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/NickGoodson.