Track work throws Jason off-course but he still makes finishing line

Engineering works on the railway on Sunday morning (October 6) meant Jason’s train was replaced by a bus from Arundel to Horsham, and by the time he had made a couple more changes, he arrived at the start of the Royal Parks Foundation event, at Hyde Park, half an hour after the 25,000 other runners set off.

Undeterred, Jason, 42, of Pearson Road, Arundel, went off in pursuit of the back-markers and by Westminster Bridge had caught them up and began to advance through the field.

His efforts were well worth it, as Jason raised about £300 for charity Save the Children, thanks to sponsorship from family, friends and workmates at the Bay Tree Restaurant in Tarrant Street, Arundel.

“I was gutted I had missed the start, and thought I would never catch them up. But I had several bursts of energy and managed to reach the people at the back and then move forward through them.

“It was a lovely day and I enjoyed it in the end,” said Jason, who has completed the same race on five previous occasions, on a route which takes in Hyde Park, Green Park, Kensington Gardens and St James’s Park.

His time on Sunday was 3hr 16min, but that included the half-hour delay at the 
start.