by Larry EderMany will remember, upon us losing Mike Long two years ago, that we were asked to support his favorite foundation, the Entoto Foundation, that funds healthcare for needy kids in Ethiopia.
Tom Bedford has taken up the challenge and this weekend is running the RNR San Diego, with a goal of 2:25 or bust-read all about the 2:25 challenge!
The 2:25 Challenge….
An intriguing race-just-behind-the-lead-race will take place in Sunday’s Rock `n` Roll Marathon in San Diego. Tom Bedford, son of Virgin London Marathon race director and former world record-holder at 10,000m Dave Bedford, will try to break 2:25 for the distance. If he does, he will win a bet with his father and at the same time raise money for the San Diego-based Entoto Foundation, a 501C3 charity funding medical care for children in Ethiopia. Tom will be ably supported by two American record holders, Ryan Hall and Josh Cox who will combine to pace him through 20 miles.
“Having Josh and Ryan will be scary and fun at the same time,†said Tom, who arrived in San Diego on Wednesday from London. “It’s great that someone of their calibre will be pacing a Joe like me! It’s like that TV show Pro’s Vs. Joe’s. I might have to mess with them and do a Sammy Wanjiru by telling them they are too slow and too speed up!â€
Tom’s 2:25 Challenge began – as so many bets do – in a London pub after last year’s London Marathon. Over a pint or two there was much discussion about the fact that no Brit had run under 2:25 that day. Tom said he could manage a sub-2:25 if he trained. Following the grand tradition of mocking any declaration delivered over a pint, Tom’s father and friends instantly challenged his sanity and ability. Tom quickly asked if they’d like to make it interesting.
So the bet was made. Tom would have three years to fulfill his boast, and could run as many marathons as necessary to complete his goal. To further his chances and broaden his appeal, Tom asked that all bets against him go to the Entoto Foundation. San Diego will be his second attempt at the 2:25 Challenge. His first was a solid, but unsuccessful 2:33 at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. last fall.
“My 2.33 marathon at the Marine Corps marathon taught me lots,†said Tom. “For that race I only really did steady aerobic running so I am much fitter now but I made a few mistakes I can learn from. The main lessons are no tequila shots the days leading up to the race, no pizza and beer the night before and to take energy gels early on in the race. I also learnt about pacing and what hitting the wall feels like so I know what to expect in the later stages. I ran 69.30 for a half marathon in early March which is my PR. I’m a different athlete since I ran that, so hopefully I’m in shape to do the sub 2.25 here in San Diego!â€
Tom will have the highest quality pacers on hand to guide him. 2008 Olympian Ryan Hall is the American record holder in the half-marathon (59:43), and third place finisher in April’s Boston Marathon. Josh Cox set the American 50km record at this January’s P.F. Chang’s Rock `n` Roll Arizona Marathon.
“I know Ryan from when he ran in London, so having him pacing me will calm me down. Ryan and Josh can share some of their experiences of running races in beautiful San Diego whilst I can tell them about all the great bars and clubs as we pass them downtown! But seriously, it shows they both have great hearts to help me raise money and awareness for the Entoto Foundation helping so many Ethiopian kids too much needed health care. All I need to do now is give them my running chip and maybe they can run the whole thing for me! That would make things much easier!â€
The plan is for Josh to take Tom through half-way, and maybe tack on a few extra miles. Ryan will pick them up at 13.1 miles and go as far as 20.
“The other day Ryan emailed me a quote from Mother Teresa,†wrote Josh to the Entoto Foundation. “It said, ‘We can do no great things, only small things with great love.’ That’s the idea here. In the scheme of things running may be a small thing, but when we use running to impact a life we change the dynamic and transcend sport.
“We all have gifts; the greater the gift, the greater the responsibility and opportunity. Running is our gift and we want to use it to serve others and make the world a better place. Both Ryan and I have a heart for Africa and have been inspired by the work of the Entoto Foundation. We can’t do everything but we can all do something; we’re just trying to do our part.â€
To date Tom has over $26,000 pledged against him. To join in the fun and bet against Tom, go to the Entoto Foundation’s website at Entoto.org.
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Special thanks to Victah Sailer for this piece.
Best wishes to Tom Bedford, who I know, will run 2:25 or better (my predictions are 2:24.15), and Josh Cox and Ryan Hall for helping out!
RBR encourages all to make a donation to the Entoto Foundation.
To reach RBR, email runblogrun@gmail.com
