12:40pm Saturday 4th July 2009
By James Wilson
A TEACHER based in Hartford has completed an Arctic midnight marathon in memory of his late father.
Michael Escolme, 38, is a teacher at Cloughwood School on the village’s campus and decided to take on the Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromso, Norway to raise cash for Leukaemia Research.
The race – that finished around midnight on Saturday June 20 – is held within the Arctic circle.
Michael ran the 26.2-mile run – his first ever marathon – in an impressive three hours and 45 minutes in memory of his dad, Robert, who died last year of a leukaemia related illness.
He said: “There was quite a bit snow on the fields but on the roads it was fine. However, it was cold.
“I wanted to make my first marathon memorable and I wanted the trip to be a once in a lifetime experience.
“I also thought it was quite poignant as the race finishes around midnight on the Saturday and in the early hours of Sunday, which of course was Fathers’ Day.”
Michael only took up running a year ago after deciding that he was out of shape and overweight. He joined his local running club and decided to do the marathon after reading about it in a running magazine.
“I felt on top of the world,” he said.
“I was a bit sore but mentally I felt fantastic. When I joined the running club I was overweight and I just wanted to get back into shape.
“Plus I used to hate running when I was younger and at school.”
He added: “The lads at school have raised quite a bit of money and they have held a non-uniform day and they have collected a substantial amount.
“At the moment the total is around £500 but it is still climbing bit by bit.”
To sponsor Michael visit justgiving.com/escolme.
© Copyright 2001-2010 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk