Matthew to run Virgin London Marathon 2010 for Wings of Hope
25th April 2010
Matthew Stephenson, shown here with his 1 year old baby daughter Nene, is delighted to have the opportunity to run the Virgin London Marathon on the 25th April 2010 in aid of the Wings of Hope.
Matthew is 36, and lives in East London with his Japanese wife of 12 years and baby daughter Nene. Born and raised in the UK, Matthew has a background in Japanese study and has worked for several Japanese organisations in London.
Matthew says
"I have always enjoyed fitness, especially running and swimming, but personal exercise has gradually been replaced by work commitments for the most part of my thirties.
Wings of Hope have kindly given me the opportunity to take part in the Virgin London Marathon to raise funds for their children's charity. It is a massive physical challenge and a wonderful life changing opportunity (it's my first marathon!) but my aim is to simply raise as much money as possible in order to make a contribution towards the cause - free education to poor and orphaned children in developing countries."
Keep up to date with Matthew's progress and support his marathon effort by sponsoring him online at
Visit Matthew's Justgiving fundraising page here...
If you are a UK Taxpayer you can make your donation go further, as Justgiving will automatically claim back Gift Aid for Wings of Hope on your donation!
Training Update: Monday 15th February 2010
- I am shadowing my Mentor's (Kiran Patel) training plan to prepare for the Virgin London Marathon in ten weeks time, based on approximately 30 miles a week right now.
- Training is five times per week, with two rest days.
- Between 1st and 7th February I rested for the entire week due to knee pain.
- I am now back in full swing, and yesterday morning completed a half marathon distance in 2 hours 10 minutes (my Valentines Day run from Wapping along the Thames, to Battersea and back)
- I will take part in the Finchley 20 mile Road Race in a few weeks time, alongside Kiran my Mentor. This event consists of lots of hills, and is considered a benchmark in London Marathon preparation.
- Generally my training takes place early morning, as physically there is no time in the evenings because of father duty! I try to wake up at 6am and stretch, run, then wind down stretch before getting ready for work.
- I generally run along the Thames path and embankment from East to West London for my training. Each day I meet other runners, even early in the morning!
- Training intensity increases from now, as is my appetite!
