Veteran runner Rob Bennett has once again demonstrated his dedication and resilience by completing the Plymouth Half Marathon in support of our charity. This marks his fifth fundraising event for us, following his impressive runs in the London Marathon from 2016 to 2019.
Rob’s passion for running and his commitment to the charity motivated him to take on the half marathon despite recent health challenges. “I enjoy running and have not challenged myself physically since 2019, where I ran for the Lighthouse Charity in the London Marathon,” Rob explained. “In 2020, I had back surgery and in 2023, I narrowly averted knee surgery, so a half marathon was the obvious choice to test my physical and mental resilience. Thankfully, my knee and back behaved themselves.”
The Plymouth Half Marathon proved to be a well organised event, attracting over 9,000 runners, many of whom supported local and national charities. “My target was two hours, which to be honest was achievable, but optimistic. Fortunately, I started well and managed to run better on the hills than I thought, so I was delighted to come in at 1 hour 51 minutes,” Rob shared.
Rob highlighted several memorable moments from the race. “Mile 7 is a challenge, about a one-mile uphill incline. I was head down, and just motored up it even though my body said walk, walk, walk,” he recalled. “Mile 13 was also memorable, with streets lined with supporters in the historic Barbican/Seaside area of Plymouth. It was a challenging hill to the finish line, which was emotional, especially for my heart, which went up to 189 beats per minute, significantly higher than the rest of the run.”
Rob’s dedication to our charity is deeply rooted in his long-term involvement with the organisation. “Having been involved in the South West Region Club for over 20 years now and an active committee member for over 15 years, I have seen first-hand the amazing support we have provided,” Rob said. “It’s a no-brainer to continue this work and help construction workers and their families who need help, particularly in our efforts to improve emotional wellbeing in the construction industry.”
