Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

Going for gold in Olympic Park Run




Thatcham man in bid to be first across athletic stadium finishing line


A THATCHAM man is hoping to make history by becoming the first person to cross the finishing line at the London 2012 Olympic stadium, after he was selected for the National Lottery Olympic Park Run.
Darren Batten, aged 45, who took up running last year, decided to apply for the five-mile run because of the uniqueness of the opportunity.
He said: “This is never going to happen again – the only other people who will be using the tracks are those in the Olympics.
“It is such a unique opportunity to be one of the first to cross the line.
“I would like to be the first.”
Mr Batten is one of only 5,000 people to be granted a place on the run in March.
The course starts in the Olympic Park and the final quarter-of-a-mile will be on the athletics track.
Each competitor is allowed two spectators, and Mr Batten said that he will be taking his partner Emma Martin and his 20-year-old son, Max.
A group of past and present Olympic and Paralympic athletes will also be on hand during the event to lend their support to the runners.
Reading Transport bus driver, Mr Batten, will be raising money for Reading-based hospice charity, Duchess of Kent House, as this is his company's chosen charity.
He said: “It was one of those things that I entered and I never thought I was going to get in.
“I get a medal at the end of it as well. I think it is [the organisers] way of trying things out.”
The run takes place on the afternoon of Saturday, March 31, but Mr Batten will have to hotfoot it home the same evening as he has also signed up for the Readingh alf-marathon at 10am
the following day.
He said: “Thankfully on the Monday I have a rest day from work.
“Hopefully I should be okay doing both runs. I'm looking forward to it – in fact, I can't wait for it to come around.
“It's going to feel really special.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Mr Batten can contact the Duchess of Kent House Charity directly by emailing info@dokhc.org.uk or telephoning (0118) 939 4889.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More