Congratulations to Olympic Holidays’ product manager Jonathan Star who has raised £1,000 for our chosen charity Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool by completing the 13.1-mile Great North Run.
Jonathan, 28, who works in our London head office says he loves to ‘push his limits’ and improve his running times.
"Being able to raise money for Alder Hey, to make a difference in their children’s lives, is really satisfying"
He said: “I am a very goal-orientated person and always looking for ways to push my body’s boundaries. Doing the run and being able to raise money for Alder Hey, to make a difference in their children’s lives, is really satisfying.
“It was a great day – the weather was fantastic with temperatures ranging from 9C-15C which is perfect running weather, even on the last straight when the North Sea breeze definitely helps!”
The Great North Run is the largest half marathon in the world and takes place every September. Participants run between Newcastle upon Tyne and South Shields on a course devised by former Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist and BBC Sport commentator Brendan Foster.
Encouragement from spectators helped on the home straight
Jonathan said the majority of the race went ‘perfectly well’ although a little encouragement from spectators helped on the home straight. He said: “During the 11/12-mile stretch there is a gradual incline more than 0.5 of a mile and I started to get a tight calf, but once I hit the 12-mile marker, the atmosphere of the locals, the sight of the finishing line and running alongside the ocean took me the rest of the way.”
He ran the course in 1 hour 52 minutes, shaving a hefty four minutes off his previous personal best time.
Jonathan has been running for the best part of a decade and has completed many runs including the London Vitality 10K (three years in a row), the Bath Half Marathon in 2016 and a full marathon in Victoria, British Columbia, in October 2018.
Olympic Holidays matched his £500 fund-raising to bring his total to £1,000 for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
Jonathan said: “Alder Hey does some amazing work, not only does it provide life-saving care and equipment but conducts vital research and develops game-changing medical practices.
“It also has a Park Campus where the charity has helped to fund a well-being nature trail and woodland walk which is a wonderful haven for families going through difficult times to explore and relax, listen to birdsong and feel in touch with nature.”
Jonathan has now signed up for the Manchester Marathon on April 5, 2020 as he continues his goal of lowering his marathon time. He aims to complete all six major marathons over the next few years so look out for him in London, Berlin, Tokyo, New York, Boston and Chicago!