On January 29th 2012, brothers Edd and Chris Arrowsmith and three friends did something truly amazing. All five travelled to Marrakesh to complete a Moroccan Marathon in aid of the Eye Tumour Research Fund.
The Eye Tumour Research Fund is run by the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, a charity of close personal connection to the brothers.
Since eye tumours are so rare in the UK, the fund heavily relies on the kind and generous donations of patients and friends to support vital research and the purchase of new equipment for treatment. Incredibly the men have managed to raise nearly £8,000 for the Eye Tumour Research Fund, and this is still counting.
Below is an account of their truly inspirational story:
“The day began early malt loaf, bananas, Moroccan pancakes and a kitkat chunky. Hanging around downstairs in the lobby of the Imperial Hotel, arguably not as grand as its name suggests, we said goodbye to a friend who was running the half marathon (in an astonishingly tight pair of trousers) and looked somewhat apprehensively at the course map. All of a sudden to be circumnavigating one of the largest cities in Africa seemed like quite a big ask, particularly given the forecast for another 28 degree scorcher.
Hitting the start point we went through a series of rudimentary stretches and regretted, not for the first time that day, the complete absence of sports drinks. Undaunted though the race began and to a big cheer from the watching crowds we were off. The first 10k we agreed was probably the nicest run of our lives. Leaving the city early with the dew still rising from the olive groves that surround the Southern gardens and the Atlas mountains on the horizon snow-capped and spectacular. This was what running was all about. Later as the sun got higher and the course took us alongside the local traffic things were a little tougher but as the legs faded the finish line approached. Relaxing later in the sunshine was a great feeling and complete with the knowledge of the money we had raised for such a vital and fantastic cause.”
If you would like to receive further information regarding the Eye Tumour Research Fund, or would like to donate, you can do so by sending a cheque to: General Office, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L7 8XP, made payable to: 'The RL&BUH Trust Funds-Eye Tumour Research Fund’, or by visiting: www.eyetumour.co.uk/donate.php”
The Eye Tumour Research Fund is run by the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, a charity of close personal connection to the brothers.
Since eye tumours are so rare in the UK, the fund heavily relies on the kind and generous donations of patients and friends to support vital research and the purchase of new equipment for treatment. Incredibly the men have managed to raise nearly £8,000 for the Eye Tumour Research Fund, and this is still counting.
Below is an account of their truly inspirational story:
“The day began early malt loaf, bananas, Moroccan pancakes and a kitkat chunky. Hanging around downstairs in the lobby of the Imperial Hotel, arguably not as grand as its name suggests, we said goodbye to a friend who was running the half marathon (in an astonishingly tight pair of trousers) and looked somewhat apprehensively at the course map. All of a sudden to be circumnavigating one of the largest cities in Africa seemed like quite a big ask, particularly given the forecast for another 28 degree scorcher.
Hitting the start point we went through a series of rudimentary stretches and regretted, not for the first time that day, the complete absence of sports drinks. Undaunted though the race began and to a big cheer from the watching crowds we were off. The first 10k we agreed was probably the nicest run of our lives. Leaving the city early with the dew still rising from the olive groves that surround the Southern gardens and the Atlas mountains on the horizon snow-capped and spectacular. This was what running was all about. Later as the sun got higher and the course took us alongside the local traffic things were a little tougher but as the legs faded the finish line approached. Relaxing later in the sunshine was a great feeling and complete with the knowledge of the money we had raised for such a vital and fantastic cause.”
If you would like to receive further information regarding the Eye Tumour Research Fund, or would like to donate, you can do so by sending a cheque to: General Office, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Prescot Street, Liverpool L7 8XP, made payable to: 'The RL&BUH Trust Funds-Eye Tumour Research Fund’, or by visiting: www.eyetumour.co.uk/donate.php”
The Morrocan Marathon Team
