There were many Hitchin heroes taking on the London Marathon on Sunday – find out how some of them got on below.
• A Hitchin family from London Road – who featured in the Comet nearly 20 years ago as they bravely faced up to their daughter’s leukaemia – showed their tremendous fighting spirit by completing the marathon.
Maisie de Wolf, 21, was struck down by the disease when she was two and it was feared that she might not be able to walk or talk if she survived at all. Thankfully she triumphed against the killer illness to live a full and healthy life ever since.
Brave Maisie finished in 4.09.00 with mum Rosie de Wolf in 5.58.00 and dad Stuart de Wolf in 6.35.11 – with all three running for Children With Cancer UK.
Mum Rosie said: “The huge crowd gave us all a boost including lots of our friends and family along the route supporting us.
“It was truly fantastic. We are so proud.
“We have huge respect for anyone who runs a marathon. It is mentally and physically challenging.
“Training is essential – but it’s very different from running around Hitchin alone to suddenly being one of several thousand with everyone cheering you on.
“Crossing the finish line and being given the medal was amazing. We never dreamt we would run the London Marathon.
“We can’t thank everyone enough who supported Team de Wolf.’”
• A dedicated husband and wife team ran their first marathon to raise money for a care home which supports 20 disabled people in Hitchin.
Jessica and Danny Jacobs raised £13,000 for Symonds House, run by Leonard Cheshire Disability based at Lavender Fields in Lucas Lane – with Jessica, 29, finishing in 4.30.14 and Danny, 28, completing the course in 4.01.16.
The couple have a personal connection to the charity through Jessica’s father Mark Vincent, a retired GP who is being cared for at the house.
Jessica said: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“It was a tough challenge but I felt so proud Danny and I did it.
“We’d like to thank all our family, friends and work colleagues, along with all the other generous supporters who helped us to raise money for a charity so close to our hearts.”
• Gurbir Singh Parmar crossed the finish line in 5.24.10 to raise £2,415 – also for Symonds House – despite the fact he didn’t train for the run as he was struck down by a virus.
Gurbir, known to one and all as Arnie, owns Parmars Food and Wine on Redhill Road in Hitchin and was taking on the challenge for Leonard Cheshire Disability-run care home based at Lavender Fields in Lucas Lane.
He said: “I really enjoyed it and would like to take part in it again next year.
“The atmosphere was fantastic and I got a lovely welcome from my friends and family who were there to cheer me on.”
A Hitchin woman running for a care home in the town was overjoyed to have raised more than £2,000.
Vicki Bean, from Elmside Walk, finished the route in 5.52.45 to raise funds for Lavender Fields care home.
She said: “It was an amazing day. The atmosphere, the people and the great city of London!
“I’m so pleased I have managed to complete it – but I am overjoyed, that with lots of support, £2,000 has been raised for Lavender Fields care home in Hitchin.
“It’s great to know the money will be put to good use for the benefit of the people who live there.”
• Another woman running for Lavender Fields was also pleased to have raised money for the home.
Bev Jullien, 56, who trained with her dog Honey, finished the route in 4.44.23 – managing to raise £3,500 for the cause.
She said: “The atmosphere was really amazing and it was wonderful to have lots of people along the way shouting my name.”
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