Our Marathon runner meets Wirral Mayor, with Mayoress and Chloe Jones from Autism Together

In the first of a series of blogs following the journey of our London Marathon runner, Clint Wilkinson, we find out more about Clint and why he wants to undertake this marathon challenge…

Where did you hear about our Marathon place?

From Facebook – we used to use Rainbow groups for my son Henry, before he went to school. Henry has autism, he’s seven now. He’s my inspiration.

I’ve always wanted to do the London Marathon and I’ve entered the ballot every year. My intention was always going to be, if I got a place I was going to run for Autism Together anyway. So when you guys got a charity ballot place and I saw that online I thought I’d apply for it.

What’s your running experience?

For the past five or six years I’ve been running, mainly just for fitness. I’ve done quite a number of 5ks and half marathons, but never done a marathon.

How are you feeling about it?

Excited, little bit nervous, I’m quite comfortable with the half marathon distance, but doubling it… that’ll need a bit of training.

1 hour 54 minutes is my best time for a half marathon. Doing twice the distance I’m aiming for four-and-a-half hours or under. I’d be made up with anything less than that.

If you’re struggling when running, what gets you through?

I guess we’ll find out. I’ve not probably gone to my limit yet. The running I’ve done so far hasn’t been easy, but at no point did I think ‘I can’t do this’. But obviously the further you go the harder it’s going to be.

What’s your line of work?

I’m a police officer in Birkenhead.

What do your colleagues think about you taking up this marathon challenge?

They think it’s quite amusing, they’re actually looking forward to reading my training blog.

Do you have a fundraising target?

I’m hoping to go over £3,000. As much as I can basically, I’ve got a few things planned – hopefully a charity night at a local rugby club and a supermarket bag pack, for starters.

This is just the start of Clint’s marathon journey to London in 2020. Keep checking our website and Facebook page to stay up to date, as Clint blogs his way through the pain barrier… all the way through to the big day next April.

If you’d like to support Clint in his marathon journey, on behalf of Autism Together, you can donate now via his fundraising page: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ClintWilkinson