Diamond Mikes' Multi Challenges!

#4 - Cardiff Half Marathon - 14th October 2012
COMPLETED
For many the 13th of October was a standard Sunday. The sun shone, the birds and the teenagers tweeted and live stock everywhere found themselves on family dining tables. For local hero Diamond Mike however this was no ordinary Sunday. Nor was it an ordinary Sunday for the 14,000 other runners taking part in the Cardiff Half marathon.

Despite the bright sun the air was cold, too cold, wish-you’d-worn-gloves-when-you-hadn’t cold. To most, this was nothing more than an inconvenience, but to Diamond the cold was similar to a blunt butchers knife carving away at his disfigured knee. As locals have come to expect from their shiny friend, Diamond took the pain in his stride helping others to warm up through song and dance.

Once the officials were satisfied that Diamond Mike had warmed up adequately the race got underway. Elite runners, fun runners, fast runners, slow runners and ‘what am I doing here?’ runners all pushed forward as one. The course was mostly flat with only three hills to speak of (although the hill at 12 miles received a stern telling off) and the atmosphere was electrifying! The crowds were steady throughout the run with thousands of screaming men and woman turning up to get a glimpse at Diamond Mike as he toured the city of Cardiff.

Even though Diamond hurt his knee weeks ago and had continued to damage it with each further physical challenge, he managed to complete the race in an inspirational 1hour 41 minutes an all time personal best. In a short interview after the race Diamond Mike was quoted as saying:

“These three weeks have pushed my body to its physical and mental limits. I’ve cried, and Cardiff cried with me. But we did it, we did it together and no one can take that away from us. Well done Cardiff!”