A huge thanks to all who participated in Belfast Marathon on Monday 7th May whether in the Fun Run , Half or Full Marathon Walk or Run or Team Relay, The weather was dreadful so all the more credit to you all who braved the elements and put your foot forward.

There is a famous quote from Theodore Rosevelt which comes to mind: 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt (1858 – 1919), “Man in the Arena” Speech given April 23, 1910

Wenford McDowell who ran a leg of the marathon tells us ‘When I was in training many years ago my instructor used to shout ” Pain is just weakness leaving the body ” well I expect many of you like me left “weakness” on the Antrim Road, The Shore Road Towpath , Ravenhill Road Sydenham by-pass, Duncrue Street and all over the streets of Belfast. However it was all worth it and the inclement weather , the cold the rain the wind on that day gives all our effort and endeavour such credibility. Nothing truly worthwhile is ever achieved easily.’

No-one entered to set any records (as far as I am aware), however we were astounded to read the results on the Belfast City Marathon Web page to find that a team called “Charlenes Project” came 45th in the relay out of 2067 teams, so well done to you whoever you are, we would love you to identify yourselves to us sometime.

Wenford, Dickie and Janice were delighted to meet folk wearing the red Charlene Project Tshirts as they made their way around the route, to feel a sense of community and encouragement on the route , to see other brave folk previously strangers but now joined in the one cause.

NEWSFLASH!!!

Charlenes Project are discussing the possibility of building a second school in East Africa and while planning is at an early stage we are considering constructing this in the Northern area of Uganda where poverty and hardship are extreme So the thanks for your effort is not in this e-mail , nor in any praise any of us can provide but it is in the lives of the children in Uganda.

It is those children who will ultimately benefit as a result of the publicity your participation provided and the funds subsequently raised which will all go to the work in Africa

A huge thanks to you all, and if you know of anyone who participated or supported Charlenes Project in this event and has not received this message please pass on to them with our heartfelt thanks.

Dickie and Janice Barr and Wenford McDowell!