Another Day, Another Great South Run For Matform.

28th October 2009

Sunny skies and a carnival atmosphere contributed to Matform’s Sales Director, Paul Down, describing the 2009 Great South Run as the best he has ever competed in.

Paul (56) finished Europe’s biggest 10-mile race in a respectable time of 1hr 46min.  In a record field of 21,000 entries he was pleased to finish in the top half.

“The time was slower than I had wanted to do, but I was never going to record a PB as I was trying to dodge walkers and fancy dress runners.

“But the atmosphere was very good.  It was the best 10-mile event I have ever run in as the weather was glorious and the crowds were the biggest I have seen,” he said.

Paul, a keen middle-distance runner who endeavours to put in between 15-20 miles training a week plus associated gym work, has competed in the Great South Run more than a dozen times.

Over the years he estimated that he has raised about £3,500 in sponsorship from friends and work colleagues for charities, including Dreams Come True, the national charity for terminally and seriously ill youngsters, and Wessex Heartbeat, the regional cardiac charity.

Paul celebrated his achievement with a curry and glass of red wine.

“I am going to keep up the training to run a half marathon in March 2010 in Cyprus when I take my next holiday,” he revealed.