LIFE in the ?Big Apple? was ?amazing? for two women from West Devon recently. Elizabeth Hann and Amanda Howard were two of almost 37,000 people taking part in the New York Marathon. It was a marathon first for Elizabeth who has previously faced challenges in cycling and driving. Elizabeth, a former pupil of Tavistock College, and work colleague Amanda Howard, from Okehampton, took part in the race to raise money for the charity, ?Get Kids Going?, which provides special sports equipment for people with disabilities up to the age of 26, and gives them a chance to pursue a passion and career for sports. The two women trained for more than nine months, tackling long distances - on one training day they ran 17 miles. In the days before the New York Marathon, the two joined others for a jog around the city to see where they would be running. They also took part in a friendship run to get to know everyone in the building in which they were staying who was taking part. On race day, Elizabeth looked around and saw the other 36,894 people taking part: ?I had never seen anything like it, there was so many people. It was amazing to see and I become very overwhelmed.? They started warming up 30 minutes before the race and at 10.15am they started the 26.2-mile marathon in hot weather. ?When I started the race, it felt amazing to think that I am finally doing this and there is no going back.? said Elizabeth. During the race they had people supporting them all the way through. ?It was absolutely great. We had people we didn?t even know calling our name, cheering us on through the different stages. They would even hold their hands out so you would slap them as you ran past.? When she past the 15-mile mark Elizabeth said she had to walk. Her blisters by this time had burst and she was in great pain but wanted to complete the marathon, so decided to walk to make sure she crossed the finish line. ?When it came to the last mile it seemed to go on so long and it was tiring. But once it was over I was so overwhelmed and amazed. I was chuffed with myself. Worn out and emotional.? Elizabeth and Amanda managed to raise £500 for the charity through sponsorship and donations. Amanda completed the race in 5hrs 30mins and was 31,287 to cross the line. Elizabeth finished in 7hrs and 30mins and was the 36,562 person to finish.
