Race against time for librarian

Thursday April 1, 2010

Librarian Elin Jones is giving the phrase ‘run before you can walk’ a whole new meaning.

Because Elin, who has never done any running in her life, will be competing in the London Marathon next month.

To make matters worse, she only found out that she was running in the race in February after spending several months on the reserve list. And, to add insult to injury, she has already had tendonitis in her knee!

Elin, 53, a stock librarian who divides her time between the borough six libraries is doing the marathon in aid of Cancer Research UK, following the death of friend and colleague Julie Muir.

The former Chelsea Football Club steward explained: “Julie was a children’s librarian, based at Hammersmith Library and was first diagnosed with cancer fifteen years ago. She recovered from it but it came back and she died in December 2008. My grandfather and mother have also had cancer so Cancer Research UK really is a charity that is close to my heart.”

But how does Elin, of Parfrey Street, Hammersmith, plan to complete the gruelling 26 mile course, having never even ran a mile in her life before?

“All I want to do is get across the finishing line, probably with a bit of running and a bit of walking,” she said. “I am following a training programme at the moment and am doing a little bit every other day. I am doing about four miles at a go at the moment.

“I do a lot of walking but have never really done much running. I enjoy walking, especially by the riverside and in Bishops Park. I also spend a lot of time walking between the various libraries in the borough as part of my job. Hopefully the adrenalin will get me through.

"My colleagues have been very supportive and have been very generous in sponsoring me. Some of the 'hardened' runners and walkers amongst the staff have offered me support in my training and guidance."

Lyn Carpenter, Director of Residents’ Services, said: “Elin Jones deserves real credit for taking up this incredible challenge at such short notice. She is an inspiration to us all and I wish her the very best of luck.”

You can sponsor Elin by, visiting www.runningsponsorme.org/elinjones3 (opens new window). Alternatively, you can write a cheque to Cancer Research UK and send it to H&F News, Room 39, Hammersmith Town Hall, King Street, Hammersmith, W6 9JU.