as BRDC raise impressive charity total in 2011 London Marathon
The three Britons competing for Nissan in this year’s FIA GT1 World Championship all successfully finished the London Marathon on Sunday, but it was Scotsman Peter Dumbreck who was ultimately able to claim team bragging rights, finishing first amongst the drivers in a highly impressive time of 03:08:39. Richard Westbrook was not far behind with an excellent 3:24:28, whilst Jamie Campbell-Walter ran through the pain barrier to cross the line in 04:52:50 after sustaining a leg muscle injury in the last few miles of the race.
The trio ran the marathon alongside five other members of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), and, by the start of the race, the eight-strong team had already managed to reach their initial target of raising a combined £50,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust - the UK's only national charity dedicated to all aspects of the common, life-shortening inherited disease - through a combination of public donations and a fundraising dinner.
For Peter and Richard the race was a reprise of last year’s friendly rivalry when, as drivers for rival GT1 manufacturers (Peter for Nissan in the no.23 Sumo Power GT, and Richard in a Matech Ford GT), Richard beat the man he now shares driving duties with in the no.22 JR Motorsports Nissan GT-R. For Jamie, driver of the no.21 Sumo Power GT, this year’s running of the 26.2 mile course was a brand new experience, having been coerced into making his marathon debut by some fellow-BRDC members at the Autosport show in January this year.
Speaking after the race, Peter Dumbreck said: “Obviously I'm really pleased with that time, and the fact that I was 48 minutes faster today than last year. My target beforehand was three hours and 15 minutes, so I finished well within that, but I think I could perhaps have gone even faster! I was running ahead of the 02:59:00 pace-maker for the first 18 miles of the race, but unfortunately I couldn't maintain the pace right until the end. However, I'm still really proud of my time and yes, it does feel nice to get a bit of revenge on Richard and beat him this time round after what happened last year!”
Richard Westbrook commented: “To go 12 minutes faster than last year and also go below the 3:30:00 barrier is something I'm really delighted with. I think in hindsight I perhaps could have pushed myself a bit harder at the start, but overall, it went really well. I actually feel surprisingly fresh, and I'm just looking forward to having a few celebratory beers now! I can't pretend I'm a little bit gutted that Peter beat me this time round, but you can't begrudge him it with the outstanding time he got. Round three next year? Who knows?!"
Jamie Campbell-Walter stated: “Overall, I'm a bit disappointed with the time, but I'm still really happy to finish my first marathon. I had a sub-four hour time in mind, and I was doing well to stick to my pre-ordained target of running consistent 8.45 - 9 minute miles throughout. I got to the half way stage at one hour and 55 minutes, so I was right on target, but at about mile 20 my right leg gave way, and I ended up having to see the physio three times during the last six miles, which obviously cost me a hell of a lot of time.
"Despite this though, my first taste of the marathon was something I really enjoyed - the support you get from the crowd whilst running the course was absolutely phenomenal. It was a really great team effort - the other Nissan boys obviously ran brilliant times - and we've done superbly well as a BRDC collective to raise so much money for a great cause. On a personal level, even though I'm in a whole world of pain right now, my heart is telling me that I'm going to have to give the marathon another go next year and beat that four hour mark!"
You can still support the drivers’ marathon efforts and donate money to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust by clicking on https://www.justgiving.com/brdc-marathon2011/
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the UK’s only national charity dealing with all aspects of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). It funds research to treat and cure CF and aims to ensure appropriate clinical care and support for people with Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is one of the UK’s most common life-threatening inherited diseases. Cystic Fibrosis is caused by a single defective gene. As a result, the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, become clogged with thick sticky mucus resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food.
Each week five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis and two young people die – 90% from lung damage. Around half of the CF population can expect to live over 38 years, although improvements in treatments mean a baby born today is expected to live even longer.Further information can be found on www.cftrust.org.uk .
Help and advice for those affected by Cystic Fibrosis is available through the Helpline on 0300 373 1000.
