EPPING: Runners of all ages raise money for Sport Relief (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

EPPING: Runners of all ages raise money for Sport Relief

4:08pm Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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HUNDREDS of thousands of people put on their running shoes to raise money for Sport Relief today (Sunday, March 21) – including Guardian reporter JAMES RANGER, who ran six miles round Bell Common in Epping.

I can't remember what it was that made me decide to run for Sport Relief but ever since I made it known that I was planning to complete the full six miles I steadily came to realise that I'd have to put some training in.

On the day, the conditions overhead were perfect – clear skies, sunshine and no hint of a breeze. Unfortunately, the conditions underfoot were something quite different – soft, muddy and potentially treacherous.

It looked like my hopes of completing the distance without dropping to a walk had gone out of the window, as some sections of the route were little more than muddy bottlenecks which made jogging nigh on impossible.

After the majority of people who were running the single mile – my mum included – finished after the first lap, the field stretched out and I spent the next three laps on my own, with only the thought of a nice cool pint to keep me going.

But I wasn't alone for much longer as my mum, who had sufficiently recovered from her own run, very kindly came round with me for another lap.

By the time I started my last trip around the common I was determined to finish at a good pace and in the end I managed to finish in just under an hour, which I was pretty pleased with, given how many times I nearly turned my ankle over.

I want to thank everyone who sponsored me as I aimed for my target of £500 – it's all going to go to a fantastic cause.

It's not too late to donate to James' appeal. Visit www.mysportrelief.com/jamesranger and give generously!