Jeff goes the extra mile for CLIC Sargent

Jeff, who owns Safety Solutions (NI) Limited in the Lissue Industrial Estate, flew over to London last weekend to take part in the race through the capital.

The Lisburn businessman took up running a few years ago and completed the Belfast marathon in aid of Friends of the Cancer Centre.

He decided it was a challenge he just had to repeat and this time took on the world famous London marathon in aid of children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.

The London event took place just one week after the devastating bombing at the Boston Marathon, which killed three people.

At the start of the London race the runners and supporter paused for a minute’s silence to remember the Boston victims.

Jeff said the emotion of the day was overwhelming, with many of his fellow competitors openly crying during the silence.

“At the end there was a cheer,” Jeff explained. “It built and didn’t stop. People were very emotional but the support there was fantastic. People were 5-10 deep on the pavements all the way round.”

Despite suffering a groin strain at mile 16, Jeff continued and he said it was the support of the crowds that kept him going to the end. “There was a wall of pain at Canary Wharf and it is like running around a rollercoaster with concrete walls everywhere but then you see the London Eye and know you are nearly home.

“In the final 200 metres I passed 56 people. People were cheering and calling your name, it was like being inside a stadium.

“Everyone should do a marathon, just for the feel good factor. It has given me a whole new outlook on business because I have seen the goodness in people. There was no negativity, it didn’t matter where you were from, everyone helped each other.”

Jeff has currently raised over £2000 for CLIC Sargent and the money is still rolling in. “I hope to raise between £2500 and £3000,” he added.

With the Belfast and London marathons now under his belt, Jeff is showing no signs of hanging up his running shoes and already has his sights set on tackling the New York marathon.