Anushka Howell - Running Career
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I started running over 10 years ago after my son was born and I returned to work.  I was a bit of a ‘couch potato’ at the time and at first I could barely run a mile, but with the help and encouragement of a few colleagues I managed the 3 miles round the country roads at Jealotts Hill where I work.  I was so slow my colleague Mike used to run backwards to keep to my pace! Some months later, I managed the 3 mile circuit in 27mins, progress indeed for me.

It took me a few years before I ventured to enter a race. So in 1996 I ran my first ever race, the Reading Half Marathon in just over 2 hours.  Since then, I’ve completed some two dozen races, including all the Reading Half Marathons, and the Great North Run, Newcastle to

South Shields, which I ran in 1999 and 2000. I haven’t missed any of the Burnham Joggers post Christmas 10K Cliveden Cross country either. Quoted as ‘a really tough race’ it’s a must for shaking down the Christmas pud whether it’s snowing or a complete mud bath.

Finally I was tempted to apply for the London Marathon, under a little persuasion from friends. Over the last three years I’ve been unsuccessful in my application on each occasion. However, last Autumn the acceptance to my fourth application fell through the letter box…..Panic, this was it, just how was I going to get round 26.2 miles? Well start training of course.

So this January I joined the Maidenhead Athletic Club, something I now realise I should have done years ago. Through their efforts and support I’ve recently completed the Reading Roadrunners Bramley 20 race in 3hours 20min, and run 20 miles in Windsor Park organised by Datchet Dashers. I‘d like to thank all the MAC members, particularly Cathy (Road running co-ordinator) and Pete (Chairman) for being so friendly and supportive in my ‘very slow’ training. With less than two weeks to go I’m apprehensive but confident, 4hours 30mins would be nice!

My charity for London is for the Scout Group at Pinkneys Green which my son Philip attends.
With the help of several scout parents, we hope to raise funds for five Pinkneys Green Scouts to attend the International Jamboree in Thailand and for three Scouts to attend the Join in Jamboree in Iceland. These once in a lifetime opportunities for the chosen Scouts will involve meeting Scouts from around the world in Thailand and Scouts mainly from Europe in Iceland. Funds raised by Scouts in developed countries will contribute towards the training and attendance for Scouts from less developed countries.