a451 Search Engine Marketing

24 August 2011

 

Changing their team name from ‘flames’ to ‘blades of glory’ for the day, the a451 team took on the Goodwood Roller Marathon on Sunday 14^th of August.

With a whopping 26 miles to blade this was an epic adventure for the team, with some not having roller bladed at all or since childhood! Taking up skates in April 2011 they headed, with at first excitement and then uncertainty, towards the Goodwood Roller Marathon where they knew their limits would be tested.

The Goodwood Roller Marathon, organised by Camberely Skaters, is a marathon raising money for the NSPCC charity. With all capabilities able to enter there was a vast variety of contestants. From speed skaters in spandex and organised lines to mum’s skating and pushing buggies along! From children of nine in old fashioned four wheeled skates to the a451 team on professional inline skates with a slightly unprofessional skill level!

Nevertheless, the team did David proud with their commitment and stamina. Carla came in at just over 3 hours while Pip was 3 hours 23 minutes. Both these ladies thought at the beginning of the race they would quit on the 6^th lap, yet they surprised even themselves when they skated on to complete the full 11!

It was a really fantastic atmosphere at the marathon and with over 1300 skaters there was an air of camaraderie which included some skaters bringing backpack speakers which played music to keep the morale up!

Surprisingly, even when the team were tired, none of them suffered any falls, at least that’s what they thought… It was not until the end when Pip revealed that she had picked up her water bottle from the grass verge on the 8^th lap and encountered difficulties. It seems that after 17 something miles one’s legs tend to go a little wobbly and on reaching the grass Pip’s body didn’t stop when her feet did, but thankfully she landed on soft grass!

Carla did the team proud with her excellent effort and was the first ‘blade of glory’ to reach the finish line! She does however, not proclaim a strong inclination to take up her skates again anytime soon.

So, with David, Carla and Pip all giving great effort you can just imagine the sore backs, legs and blisters they were nursing come Monday morning!!! But we think they will all agree it was a fantastic experience for them all!