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Helen's finish is just the start

23/ 5/2008

AFTER months of training and anticipation the time finally came for Observer reporter Helen Johnson to take to the streets alongside 31,000 others for the Bupa Great Manchester Run on Sunday.

She has spent the past few months preparing for the run to raise money for our Can You Spare A Minute? campaign for Springhill Hospice.

So far she has raised about £300 and is still hoping to rake in even more with the help of Observer readers.

Helen, who admits she would rather get her exercise in a swimming pool than on a running track, was particularly pleased to complete the run in one hour and eight minutes – 19 minutes faster that her performance last year.

She said: "It was absolutely roasting on the day, but the atmosphere was amazing, especially going under the stands at Old Trafford, where everyone started cheering each other on.

"I noticed that wearing a Springhill Hospice T-shirt gets you a lot of attention,

"I was pulled up for an interview just after I finished, not that I was in a fit state to think of anything sensible to say at that point.

"I’m paying the price for wearing unsupportive trainers now, though.

"My legs haven’t felt this sore since I took the stairs to the top of the Eiffel Tower last summer."

Helen hasn’t given up on raising cash for the Observer appeal just yet and will be back in training soon.

She added: "I’m running 5k for the hospice in September, so I may have to invest in some new ones before then."

"I’m very grateful to everyone who has sponsored me so far, and I’m so pleased to be able to help such a good cause."

Helen’s online sponsorship form will stay active until Monday 18 August.

To sponsor her, go to www.justgiving.com/therunningreporter.

SEE Wednesday’s Rochdale Observer for a full list of the finishers from the Rochdale area.