Thatcham woman raises more than £1,000 for Alzheimer’s Society in first half marathon

A broken elbow and hot weather didn’t stop a Thatcham woman from completing her first half marathon for charity.

Andrea Thorogood ran in Richmond for Alzheimer’s Society on September 10.

She started running for the first time during the pandemic with the hope of completing a half marathon last year.

But a broken elbow six weeks prior meant that she couldn’t train to the best of her ability.

This year she began training in Easter – in preparation for a September run.

But in another unexpected obstacle, temperatures on the marathon weekend rose to more than 28 degrees.

“I was not expecting and therefore not very well prepared to run in a heatwave,” she said.

“It was a long, hot slog but the atmosphere was incredible.

“My main aim was to get over the finish line.”

She managed to complete the run in two hours and 24 minutes, raising £875 plus £210 gift aid.

“As a novice and in the heat, I was pleased with [the time],” the mother-of-three said.

“The event was actually cancelled a short while after I crossed the finish line due to the heat and medical need being too great.

“So not all starters were able to finish the run.

“I was also lucky to have the support of my family leading up to the event putting up with all my training and also coming to support me on the day, including my three daughters.”

She added: “I chose the Alzheimer’s Society as Alzheimer’s is something that has affected both my husband’s and my family.

“Watching loved ones suffer from this disease is heart-breaking.

“I am overwhelmed with support and the donations that came flooding in.”