Matform's Man On Top Form In Great South Run
Pouring rain couldn't dampen the spirits of Matform's Sales Director, Paul Down who raised £500 for Wessex Heartbeat in the 2008 BUPA Great South Run. The 56-year-old even managed to quicken his pace in the premier 10-miler to finish in a time of 1hr 42 min - three minutes faster than his time in last year's event.
"I was pleased with the time considering how slow it was at the start," said Paul. "I was in with the Green Wave of competitors - there were lots of fun-runners and some great idle banter." Paul celebrated
his achievement on the soggy streets of Portsmouth & Southsea with a beer, a glass of wine and a curry at his Bognor Regis home. "I'd not had any alcohol for a month as I'd been on a strict training regime. I'd been trying to do things properly and this year it seemed to work," he added.
Paul, a keen middle-distance runner who endeavours to put in between 15-20 miles training a week plus associated gym work, has competed in the Great South Run about a dozen times. Over the years he estimated that he has raised more than £3,500 for charity in sponsorship from friends and work colleagues and everyone at Wessex Heartbeat sends Paul huge congratulations on his achievement.
