The ABP Southampton Marathon is back! First launched in 2015, the event has grown a reputation for being one of the most inclusive and fun community highlights in the running calendar. Since its early beginnings, the event has seen over 58,000 participants, with a grand total of approximately 750,000 miles covered across the ABP Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K Race and Fun Run. The event has raised over £2 million for local charities and over £1.3 million is brought into the city each year to help boost the local economy.
Williams Shipping partner with ABP Southampton Marathon once again in 2022, having been proud sponsors since 2019. The company supplies a truck and trailer which has acted as a stage and roadblock on the Itchen Bridge, as well as supplying one of their cherry pickers which has been used by the ABP official photographer as a photography platform.
Employees of the company also run in the ABP Southampton Marathon, including David Nightingale, Operations Manager, who started running about 4 years ago in order to get fit and lose weight.
David has encouraged and inspired lots of Williams Shipping staff to also take part, and has been integral to creating a Williams Shipping running team - the numbers of which keep growing! His passion for running keeps the Williams Shipping team motivated, and his dedication means he’s also become quite the speed demon! David ran the London Marathon last year in 3hr 15 mins.
The team trains individually, but David organises some evening and weekend runs so there is some team training. They have got one training session coming up with Nathan Flear, an elite ultra marathon runner and coach. In addition, David has arranged a weekend with Nathan for those staff that would like to participate, where there will not only be running and training advice, but nutrition too.
Victoria Williams, Administrator at Williams Shipping, commented “Our favourite part of the day is the end of the race!! No seriously, it’s really fun to have a team of us running, doing a mix of distances, meeting up before the start for a team photo and to spur each other on, and at the end to celebrate together and enjoy our achievements with a beer!”
Chris Rees, Director of ReesLeisure, commented “I am delighted that Williams Shipping are partnering with ReesLeisure for the ABP Southampton Marathon. Williams Shipping have always been enthusiastic and supportive with their runners and amazing trucks helping to provide quality entertainment. I am sure Southampton can’t wait to welcome them back for what will be another spectacular day”.
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