The man behind Liverpool’s most iconic race events, including Liverpool Half Marathon and Liverpool Santa Dash, is swapping organising to pull on his running shoes to take part in his final marathon this coming weekend at the London Marathon.
Sixty-nine-year-old Alan Rothwell, Race Director of BTR Liverpool, is taking part in the iconic 26.2-mile London Marathon this Sunday (27 April).
Alan has pledged this will be his 44th marathon yet final marathon. But he won’t be alone.
Along with another 56,000 runners taking part in the 45th staging of the London Marathon, participants will also include Alan’s youngest daughter Abbie, aged 30, who will be taking part in her very first marathon.
To mark the momentous milestone for the pair, they’ve had special T-shirts printed in the style of Frankie Goes To Hollywood – displaying ‘First’ for Abbie and ‘Last’ for Alan.
As well as running for their own personal achievement, they are raising funds for Claire House Children’s Hospice, which has bases in Wirral and Liverpool. They are racing towards their £5,000 target but still need support.
BTR Liverpool is the leading independent organisation for creating, managing, and delivering headline race events across Liverpool City Region.
Alan Rothwell explained:
“I cannot remember a time when I didn’t run. My earliest memory of enjoying running was cross country season at school. I acknowledged early on that I was never going to make it as the dynamo in Everton’s midfield so running became my passion. I had no clue about pace, distance or training, I just ran.
“The founding of London Marathon and Great North Run sparked a real running boom, and I found my spiritual home. I had a focus and direction for my casual, lone wolf running, and found myself on a self-indulgent crusade of purely running. Mile after mile, race after race. But without a doubt, this is going to be the most special running moment for me – standing on the start line alongside Abbie as she starts her very first marathon. It’s going to be priceless.”
The pair have been training together for months, which has proved tricky at times to clock up the miles between Alan’s role as BTR Race Director. In March, BTR Liverpool organised and delivered the biggest ever Liverpool Half Marathon with over 10,400 runners.
Abbie is Cabin Crew for British Airways and regularly works long-haul flights across the globe. But somehow, given their busy schedules, they’ve still managed to keep each other motivated.
Alan continued:
“I’m 17 years older than the last time I ran in London, and it’s a very long way when you’re approaching 70. This will be my last marathon, and I’m thrilled to share the experience with Abbie as she embarks on her first marathon – it’s a real family affair.
“We’ll be motivated by Claire House, and I’ll also be thinking of the lifelong friends I’ve lost in recent years – and count my blessings that I can even attempt this. I love this sport, it really has been my life for many years. It generates friendships, conversations, and improves health and wellbeing. And I cannot think of anywhere better than London with Abbie to bring my marathon ‘career’ to a close.”
For Abbie, a marathon wasn’t something she ever thought possible. But was keen to take on a new challenge in her milestone birthday year.
Abbie Rothwell added:
“It’s taken me a little while to get here, but I am so excited and inspired to run the London Marathon for Claire House to help celebrate my 30th Birthday. Friends have taken on similar challenges and smashed their goals, and it’s really spurred me on.
“Since I was a little girl, I’ve watched my Dad organise race events across Liverpool and run all over the world. And over the years I’ve helped at BTR races and got to know so many familiar faces – so it’s about time I joined in. I completed the Liverpool Half Marathon in March and the Mersey Tunnel 10K earlier this now. Now I cannot wait to join my Dad in one of the biggest races in the world, it’s going to be incredible.”
Claire House Children’s Hospice helps seriously and terminally ill babies, children, and young adults live life to the full by creating wonderful experiences and bringing back a sense of normality to family life. By providing specialist nursing care and emotional support, Claire House helps families from Liverpool, Wirral, and beyond smile again when life couldn’t get any tougher.
A donation of £20 could help a family spend their precious last few days together; £40 could help support families saying their final goodbyes; while £60 could help pay for counselling sessions for a bereaved parent or sibling. Every penny will make a difference.
To support Alan and Abbie’s London Marathon challenge, donate here.
Next up in the BTR portfolio are Run For The 97 5K and 1 Mile in Stanley Park on Saturday 24 May, followed by the Port Sunlight Road Race 5K, 10K and 1K Fun Run on Sunday 8 June. Full event details and online entry can be found on the website.
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