St Dunstaners take part in the Great South Run
25 Oct 09
On 25th October, three St Dunstaners and their guides joined 21,000 other runners on Europe’s leading ten-mile road race. St Dunstaners and Army veterans Don Planner and Billy Black and St Dunstaner Iain Millard, who served in the RAF, were out amongst the crowds striving to set the pace at the 20th Great South Run.
The route is a fast, flat course that runs through some of Britain’s most important naval heritage in Southsea and Portsmouth, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860. St Dunstaners Iain and Don are veterans of the run as it becomes part of their training for the London Marathon. It was a good day for Iain who lost much of his eyesight as a result of his Service in the RAF. He complete the route in 1 hour, 53 minutes and 14 seconds.
However, the day had a disappointing finish for Don who was blinded by an exploding fuel tank in 1976 while he was serving in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. A leg injury forced Don out of the run after eight miles. His guide Christopher Moorley went on to finish in 2 hours,14 minutes and 48 seconds.
The Great South Run was a first time event for Billy Black who served in the Royal Highland Fusiliers. Billy finished the race in 2 hours 8 minutes and 31 seconds. “Would you believe me if I said I enjoyed it?” he said. “Well, yes I did. It was a great day and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a great feeling of achievement because I had been training for a six-mile run and now I have upped it to ten.”
Billy also joined a group of St Dunstaners on the Commando Challenge earlier in October. This particular event consists of either 3 mile obstacle course or a combined 4 mile run and 3 mile obstacle course. Billy commented: “I came back from that a bit black and blue, but I did it. Every challenge I have been given I have completed. I’m thinking about the London Marathon now.”
St Dunstan's needs your support to help people like Don Planner, Billy Black and Ian Millard to live independent lives. To donate please visit our Support Us page.
Other running events in which St Dunstaners will participate:
- Sussex Beacon Half Marathon, Brighton (21 Feb 2010)
- Brighton Marathon (18 Apr 2010)
- Virgin London Marathon 2010 (25 Apr 2010)
If you would like to take part in any of our sporting events please contact our Fundraising team by sending an email to fundraising@st-dunstans.org.uk or call on 020 7616 7966.
