Kate Runs Another Half Marathon for the Alzheimer's Society
Kate McLellan joined
our Tamworth office in June this year as a Corporate Recruiter: “My favourite
thing about SGS is everyone I have met so far and had the pleasure of working
with. They’ve all been incredibly welcoming and friendly towards me, which has
made it a lot easier to settle into my new role and an industry I haven't
recruited for previously.”
In her spare
time, Kate enjoys taking part in running events in aid of charity. Last October
she ran her first half marathon, raising money and awareness for the
Alzheimer's Society. On Monday 29th September, she’s getting involved in her
second event by running the Robin Hood Half Marathon. To prepare herself, she
recently took part in the Shenstone and Lichfield 10k events, which reflects
her dedication to completing the upcoming event on behalf of a worthy cause.
“My first attempt
was the Birmingham Half Marathon last year, as I set myself the challenge of
something to train for after having my son. I wanted to get my fitness back to
what it was prior to pregnancy – after having so much time away from exercise
it was really difficult and the weather was horrendous! I basically ran the
whole half in the heaviest rain possible and it was freezing. Still, I managed
to complete it in just shy of two hours and ten minutes, which I was super
pleased with seeing as though that was the first time I had run that kind of
distance.”
Having set
herself a fundraising target of £250, Kate actually managed to raise £350,
which motivated her to take on more challenges: “The weather factor is pretty
much the main reason I have signed up for the Robin Hood Half Marathon in
Nottingham, as I'm hoping for a better chance of sun, or at least less rain!”
As part of her
training, aside from the recent 10k events, Kate has been taking part in 5k
park runs every Saturday since January: “I’ve mainly been running the Cannock
Chase Park Run, which is great because it's quite hilly, but I’ve also run the
Aberystwyth, Llanerchaeron, Willen Lake, Wigan and Lancaster park runs this
year. The pressure is on to get up to at least 16k in time for the big event.”
The Alzheimer’s
Society is often chosen by our colleagues when they take part in charity fundraisers
due to it being such a crucial organisation, as Kate explains: “My husband and
I thought we would join forces this year to raise more money and awareness for this
good cause. My husband works in the stairlift industry and Alzheimer's is
something he comes into contact with daily, plus it has affected many of our
extended family and friends. As we are all part of an ever-increasing ageing
pollution, Alzheimer's has the potential to have an impact on us all at some
point in our lives. I’m running this month’s Nottingham event and my husband is
running the Birmingham Half Marathon in October.”
Kate tells us
that she’s most looking forward to the atmosphere and camaraderie of all the
runners, as well as the support from spectators… “Not to mention a celebratory shandy
after reaching the finish line!” Meanwhile, she believes that the biggest
challenge will be actually completing it, as well as giving herself the added
pressure of beating last year’s finish time (we know you can do it).
We wish Kate
all the best in smashing her previous time. If you’d like to show your support
too, you can add any amount you wish to her fundraisingpot.
