Bain ‘shuffles’ home in Melbourne Marathon

Meerkats managing director Gavin Bain (far left) achieved a long-held ambition on Sunday when he completed the Melbourne Marathon. Bain and good friend Tim Gregory – who called themselves ‘The Shufflers’ –  covered the 42 kms in 4 hours 25 minutes.

Bain said it was in line with their forecast but far slower than they could have done it considering they went through the halfway point at 2 hours 3 minutes. Shortly after, he ‘hit the wall’ as so many do in a marathon.

“All was going swimmingly until the 28km mark where my pace fell and my heart rate shot up from 135 to around the 165 mark. My first walk break happened at 32kms and from there it just went downhill. A few tears, a bit of anger, stop/ go, walking, nausea, cramps, you name it I had it. Luckily I had the big man shuffling alongside who cajoled, pushed, lied, joked and eventually helped me through to the finish line to the waiting arms of a friendly St John’s Ambulance man who looked after me until I could see straight again.”

As well as achieving a personal goal, Bain and Gregory ran to raisefunds for charity Redkite, which supports children and young peoplewith cancer and theirfamilies from the moment of diagnosis, throughout treatment and whenfamilies return home to their community. The pair has raised more than$8500 so far for the cause.

“Thanksso much to each of you who have supported me through this and donatedso  generously. The website is still open and even the smallestcontribution helps, so if you haven’t yet, feel free to stick a fewbucks in.”

The link to donate is http://www.everydayhero.com.au/the_shufflers_gang