DEVOUT Mormon David Day who, because of his beliefs, does not like to run competitively on a Sunday, organised his own marathon on Saturday after failing to find one that was not held on the Sabbath.
Mr Day, 38, a music teacher at Corsham School, and a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints in Bath, organised and ran the marathon with the support of 20 of his friends to raise money for Cancer Research.
His friends ran between six and 13 miles so Mr Day ran the remainder of the
distance by himself. He
completed the 26.2 miles in four-and-a-half hours and he hopes all of their efforts will raise at least £1,000.
Mr Day said: "I decided to organise my own marathon as I couldn't find any events that took place on any other day than Sunday, as I didn't want to run on Sunday due to my religious beliefs. The only place where an event was on a Saturday was in Scotland and that's a bit far to travel.
"This is my first full marathon. Last year I set
myself the challenge of half a marathon so this year I
decided to do the full thing. I couldn't find anyone else mad enough to run the full marathon with me."
The runners followed the route of the Bristol to Bath cycle track and, when the others finished their distances, Mr Day jogged on alone with only his brother, Matthew, 34, cycling next to him for support.
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He chose Cancer Research UK to be the sponsorship charity through friends' suggestions and with the success of Running with Angels, which his church organised last year for Cancer Research UK, raising £6,000.
Mr Day, who lives with his wife, Louise, 35, and three children Harriet, ten, Megan, eight, and Reuben, four, said: "There are several families affected by cancer within our church community and the closest person I know is the mother of two girls who died of terminal cancer earlier this year. The girls ran in memory of their mum."
Sarah Balloch, 27, and Amanda Nursey, 21, live at Stickleback Road, Calne and lost their mum Sheila Nursey to cancer in January.
Mrs Balloch said: "We ran the Running with Angels last year when mum was ill but to run this half marathon was a really moving experience where we felt close to her. My sister was really emotional throughout the marathon.
"To be able to run a marathon that will raise money to fund research for cancer is amazing."
Mrs Nursey, 62, had moved in with her two daughters in 2007, from Keynsham, after she was diagnosed with the cancer.
She had been misdiagnosed several times with a number of ailments, even depression.
Mrs Nursey eventually saw another doctor who sent her for a scan, showing a brain tumour that had gone unnoticed for 15 years, leaving it too late to operate.
Mrs Balloch adds: "I think if there had been the funds for the research my mum needed then maybe she would have been diagnosed in time to save her."
It was encouraging to read about your marathon. We run into similar problems with finding a good marathon that is not on a Sunday. Both my husband and I have decided to not run on Sundays as well. So we end up having to travel 300-1200 miles to do a marathon on a Saturday. I would love to wake up and run a marathon from my own house. But unfortunately not many people are concerned enough with the Sabbath day to make a change. But I can always hope. :)
It was encouraging to read about your marathon. We run into similar problems with finding a good marathon that is not on a Sunday. Both my husband and I have decided to not run on Sundays as well. So we end up having to travel 300-1200 miles to do a marathon on a Saturday. I would love to wake up and run a marathon from my own house. But unfortunately not many people are concerned enough with the Sabbath day to make a change. But I can always hope. :)
Posted by: happy harry, Devizes on 8:40pm Sun 23 Mar 08
[quote][bold]msmithj[/bold] wrote:
It was encouraging to read about your marathon. We run into similar problems with finding a good marathon that is not on a Sunday. Both my husband and I have decided to not run on Sundays as well. So we end up having to travel 300-1200 miles to do a marathon on a Saturday. I would love to wake up and run a marathon from my own house. But unfortunately not many people are concerned enough with the Sabbath day to make a change. But I can always hope. :)[/quote] No conscience about your carbon footprint though?
msmithj wrote:
It was encouraging to read about your marathon. We run into similar problems with finding a good marathon that is not on a Sunday. Both my husband and I have decided to not run on Sundays as well. So we end up having to travel 300-1200 miles to do a marathon on a Saturday. I would love to wake up and run a marathon from my own house. But unfortunately not many people are concerned enough with the Sabbath day to make a change. But I can always hope. :)
But for those of us who don't want to run on a Sunday it's a shame that there are no runs anywhere in the UK on other days of the week. The only non-Sunday run I've managed to find is Brands Hatch - and personally I don't want to drive that far
But for those of us who don't want to run on a Sunday it's a shame that there are no runs anywhere in the UK on other days of the week. The only non-Sunday run I've managed to find is Brands Hatch - and personally I don't want to drive that far
I so impressed with Mr Day's conviction to honor the Sabbath. With your example some people will be aware and someday will join your marathon for a good cause. God bless you and your friends and family as well.
I so impressed with Mr Day's conviction to honor the Sabbath. With your example some people will be aware and someday will join your marathon for a good cause. God bless you and your friends and family as well.
Posted by: chrisreid, Germany on 7:49am Tue 25 Mar 08
Well done David, a great achievement! Two of our daughters, Jennie Burton and Emily Maitland also ran with you completing their first half-marathons, in memory of my Dad who also passed away in Jan 08 from cancer.
Well done David, a great achievement! Two of our daughters, Jennie Burton and Emily Maitland also ran with you completing their first half-marathons, in memory of my Dad who also passed away in Jan 08 from cancer.
Posted by: jzheaux, Utah, USA on 4:57pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Good job, David! Here's hoping that this can be a perennial event that continues to raise money for such a good cause and gives skilled runners an additional choice. Your devotion to both causes, medical and religious, is admirable.
Good job, David! Here's hoping that this can be a perennial event that continues to raise money for such a good cause and gives skilled runners an additional choice. Your devotion to both causes, medical and religious, is admirable.
Posted by: moonraker1, chippenham on 10:56am Fri 28 Mar 08
I am so glad that people are trying arrange Marathons on a Saturrday, that gives fat gits like me a chance. Start on a Saturday and finish on a Sunday.
I am so glad that people are trying arrange Marathons on a Saturrday, that gives fat gits like me a chance. Start on a Saturday and finish on a Sunday.
Posted by: jfdco, Arizona, USA on 4:03pm Wed 2 Apr 08
[quote][bold]The Maxter[/bold] wrote:
I'm surprised he's got any energy left with all those wives![/quote] If he is practicing polygamy, then he is not a Mormon. Click this website to see why:
http://mormon.org/mo
rmonorg/eng/basic-be
liefs/glossary/gloss
ary-definition/polyg
amy
The Maxter wrote:
I'm surprised he's got any energy left with all those wives!
If he is practicing polygamy, then he is not a Mormon. Click this website to see why:
http://mormon.org/mo
rmonorg/eng/basic-be
liefs/glossary/gloss
ary-definition/polyg
amy
Posted by: stokeslk, Salt Lake City, UT on 5:18pm Thu 24 Apr 08
Well Done David! And for the nay-sayers out there - can't we just give thanks that someone is attempting to serve those that are afflicted and in need, while inviting the rest of us to partake in the effort and the blessings?
Well Done David! And for the nay-sayers out there - can't we just give thanks that someone is attempting to serve those that are afflicted and in need, while inviting the rest of us to partake in the effort and the blessings?
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