Jeff Denman, who recently reached the ripe old age of 65, was sponsored by his wife Helen and daughter to enter the Thames Challenge Walk in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Some 3,000 participants set off on the 100kms night-time walk from Putney to Henley, which was to be undertaken in 24 hours or less.
Jeff, a former Metropolitan police officer who regularly pounded the beat in south west London, had been in strict training for six months but had no idea how much this gruelling feat would take out of him.
Jeff, a long time resident of Moncarapacho, said: “This was the most demanding event I have ever taken part in. Towards the end my feet were hurting, calves and thigh muscles were on fire and my brain was wondering off to strange places – it was truly awful.
“The route had markers every kilometre but they just would not come quickly enough and when they did come, I seemed to be going backwards. Henley finally came into sight but the last three kilometres seemed like eternity.”
To his great credit he finished the marathon walk in 23 hours 35 minutes and in the process raised over €1,300 with every cent of sponsorship going to Macmillan Cancer Support, who gave such loving care to his mother in her final days.
The last word goes to Jeff: “A massive thanks to all those who sponsored me, it kept me going during some very dark moments.”
You can still support Jeff by going to: www.justgiving.com/Jeffrey-Denman
By CHRIS WRIGHT
