Last Sunday, Lighthouse colleagues John Blakeley, Ashton Corbin, Jill Reynolds and George Rogers took part in - and completed - the Bournemouth Half marathon run.
Running in aid of the annual Lighthouse Christmas Appeal, they have already raised £2.040 and there's still time to donate.
Here, George talks us through his experience of the race...
Upon arriving at Hengistbury Head on Sunday morning, full of excitement and trepidation and after calming down a little from the profound anxiety of potentially missing the 11am start time – the traffic was insane – I began to take in just how many people were going to be taking part in the 2025 Bournemouth Half Marathon.
Most, like me, had needed to park or be dropped off at least a mile away from the start due to the aforementioned traffic insanity and this provided the opportunity to join swathes of people, all in running gear, with names and numbers on their chests and looking slightly nervous, on a stroll to the start. There were thousands! Everyone’s excitement was palpable and once I knew I was in the right place and had done everything I needed to, I just couldn’t wait to get going.
Eventually, others with blue race numbers like mine began making a move and soon we were officially off and running (or pushing, in my case). I had met up with John in the Blue Pen prior to the race and as we headed out together and saw the number of people lining the streets to support, any pre-race nerves I had felt completely evaporated. I knew that no matter how hard the push was from here, with this level of support, I was sure to make it to the finish. Music was blasting from speakers in driveways (Gonna Fly Now, the theme from Rocky, was a particular highlight), children had made signs showing Super Mario power ups for runners to tap for an extra life and as our names were on our race numbers, I heard ‘Let’s go, George!’ and ‘Well done, George!’ coming from all angles.
Just as I had really settled into things, though, around mile five, we headed down onto the seafront for the first time and my confidence started to waver. The promenade heading towards Boscombe Pier seems so flat, the perfect surface for a long-distance push. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. The camber was deceptively steep and meant that, for a mile or two, I was pushing for the most part with one arm. It was extremely hard and I did find myself thinking that if the rest of the push was like this, best case scenario would be a much slower time than expected. Worst case: a DNF.
The support from the crowd kept me going though, and with blisters on my hands and very sore arms, I eventually made it to Boscombe where I saw my fiancée, Grace. She gave me a high five, which was a boost.
There was only one more tough spot, mile eight brought with it a seemingly never ending, zig-zagging hill. Luckily, some very kind runners offered me a hand. It was a hill I could have done if I were fresh, but not after a 10k, some of which was done single-armed!
From there things just got better and before I knew it, I could almost taste the finish line. As it approached, there were more spectators getting louder and louder – pushing me forward. I saw colleagues Sue, Kate and Nyah as Bournemouth Pier came into sight. All that remained was a small trip back up to Boscombe Pier and I would be on the home straight.
I saw Jill as I came back off the Pier and headed towards Bournemouth for the final time.
By now, I was feeling fantastic, knowing I was minutes away from finishing, seeing my family and sitting down for a much-needed meal. I pushed myself as hard as I could, feeding off the enthusiasm of the crowd. And then I saw it. The finish was in sight. I sprinted for the line and it was all over!
I finished with a time of 2:13:13 and I could not have been more proud. Not just of my effort and my time, but to have done it in aid of the Christmas Appeal, such a worthy cause.
I will be back next year for sure!
To donate, please visit Fundraiser by George Rogers : Running for the Gift of Theatre.
George's run
