Whilst thousands of people will be taking part in the Great South Run in Portsmouth on October 18, few will be able to match the running experience of Paul and Liz Jenkins.
The couple from Bournemouth have clocked up over 60 marathons and 80 half marathons between them and have no intention of hanging up their trainers yet.
“I first got the running bug when I did the Reading Half Marathon back in 1983,” says 80-year-old Paul. “I’ve done at least one marathon or half marathon every year since, as well as competing in various countries in the World Police and Fire Service Games. I believe running is tremendous for both physical and mental health. Liz and I even celebrated our golden wedding anniversary by running the London Marathon together!”
The couple’s enthusiasm for running has enabled them to raise over £89,000 for their favourite charity, Liver UK, (formerly Children’s Liver Disease Foundation).
Now Paul, who trains with Reading Roadrunners and Liz, a member of Bournemouth Joggers, are hoping that the Great South Run will enable them to boost that total further.
“We’ve been lucky to enjoy great support from our local community, whether that’s through donations or providing items we can raffle or auction,” says Liz, 77. “So we’re hoping that the idea of two veteran runners taking on the Great South Run will inspire people to support a fantastic cause.”
Dan Painter, Public Fundraising Manager at British Liver Trust commented: “As a charity, we are leading the fight against liver disease and liver cancer. We reach over two million people each year; providing information and support to patients and families and providing vital advice to help people improve their liver health. But there is still so much to be done. We are so grateful to Paul and Liz whose fundraising enables us to continue to be there for everyone affected by liver disease and we wish them all the best for the Great South Run.”
You can support Paul and Liz at Liver UK: Liz’s page.
