Humphrey getting his training into gear for the London Marathon.
Took a steady canter through Purley, Pangbourne and Goring (got a bit lost too).
Its a realy nice route along the Thames.
Jan
26
Training Route – Purley, Pangbourne, Goring and back (16 miles)
Jan
08
Sponsorship for London Marathon 2012
As many of you may know I run Marathons for WaterAid. This year I’ll be taking part in my 16th London Marathon (really looking forward to it).
But there is little point in me being clapped out on the streets of London without my faithful sponsors digging deep and donating towards this very worthwhile cause. If you would like to get behind this old camel and support WaterAid please donate now.
There are a few methods of donating:
- Online: via my Sponsorship Page on Virgin Money Giving (its quick safe and secure, and all proceeds go to WaterAid).
- Text CAML96 £5 (any value from £1 to £10) to 70070 . ps 100% of your donation will go to WaterAid. This service is handled by Vodafone JustTextGiving and your donation will be visible here
WaterAid uses practical solutions to provide clean water, safe sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people. They work in 26 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific region. (see http://www.wateraid.org/uk/ )
Thank you so much
Big Camel Hugs
Humphrey
London Marathon 2012 Humphrey’s Sponsorship Page (Virgin Money Giving)
Dec
23
Cycling on my Tandem
Marathon runners benefit by adding variety to their training (and camels are no different). To stretch the legs out a bit I like to go for a spin on my bike now and again (when the roads are clear)
Sep
06
Coast Along – 10th September 2011
Once again Humphrey the Camel took part in the annual WaterAid Coast Along Challenge.
He returned to the South West Coast path and walked the stretch from Lee Bay to Croyde Bay in North Devon (10 miles).
The coastal views were spectacular and he got lots of cheers from supportive (and surprised) walkers. He survived the steep climbs and battering wind to make it to Woolacombe beach, with enough energy to spare for canter with a couple of horses 
We all had a fantastic day and really look forward to next years event.
There is still time to sponsor Humphrey’s efforts and help raise money for WaterAid.
Thank you all for your support and encouragement
Big Camel hugs, Humphrey
Apr
19
London Marathon 2011
On Sunday the 17th April 2011 I ran my 15th London Marathon for WaterAid.
I lined up at the back of the Red start in pen 9 with my friends the Rhino’s, a Lion, and a whole herd of Humans. The air was thick with nervous energy. My Sheik Mustafa (Ant Tyler) ran alongside to guide me round the course, warn humans of my presence and to keep my humps well watered.
I passed a giant snail (I was careful not to squash him) and shuffled through Greenwich Park towards the start line with the masses. The Kenyans had built up quite a lead by the time we reached the start line 25 minutes later, and knew I’d have a job on to catch the leaders. There was a bit of cloud cover for the first couple of miles and I settled into a 10 minute mile pace and was feeling quite comfortable. Then the sun burnt the clouds away and it started to get hot and humid.
All was well until I hit a bit of a wall at 15 miles and was really pleased to see my supporters and take a break at the 18 mile mark. After stocking up on jelly babies I trotted along. By this time I was taking on water just about every mile and Mustafa did his best to look after me. I was forced to walk a bit, but the crowd roared and got me going again. The atmosphere running down Embankment was electric and really spurred me on to build up to a final sprint finish (see BBC Marathon Highlights (48min30-34seconds)). I finished in a time of 4hrs 58min.
I am trying to find all the right words to describe my day but am such an emotional camel right now. I am so privileged to have been given another opportunity to run in this Great British event.
Thanks so much to all my sponsors, supporters and crowd that got behind me in such a big way on the day. I am really blown away by your support and generosity.
Big Camel Hugs
Your Furry Friend
Humphrey
ps its not too late to sponsor me if you missed out http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/HumphreytheCamel )
Credit to Katie Russel, Paul Konig, Georgie Scott, Brenda McIlwraith, Ross Holdsworth, Steve Hunnisett, ianduffy for training their lenses to my fur and taking the photos below. Enjoy
Photo Credit: Paul Konig
Striding purposefully to the start
Photo Credit: Katie Russell
Our proud supporters
Photo Credit: Paul Konig
Mustafa (Ant) and Humphrey pose at the 8 mile mark
Photo Credit: Georgie Scott/WaterAid
Avoiding a Lion
Photo Credit:Steve Hunnisett (Flickr)
Don’t look back
Photo Credit: Ross Holdsworth (Flickr)
Taking a brief walk.
Photo Credit: ianduffy (Flickr)
18 miles done and knackered
Job done, Race Complete
Photo Credit: Brenda McIlwraith, WaterAid
All Smiles
Photo Credit: Brenda McIlwraith, WaterAid
Thank you again for your support!
Apr
12
Moved by Generosity
Am touched and moved by the generosity of the Great British public. To see the sponsorship coming in is really amazing and special (am up to £750 now)
Lauren a New Zealander who I have not met before donated £50 to WaterAid today. Thank you all for the support and encouragement, it really keeps this Camel proud and pushing forward. Its only 5 days to go to my 15th London Marathon and the excitement is building.
For those keen to sponsor my run, my sponsorship page is here http://www.virginmoneygiving.com/HumphreytheCamel
ps I’ll be at Clearwater Court for a Walkabout at 2pm this afternoon.
Mar
28
Reading Half Marathon 2011
Sorry for the late race report (my padded feet get stuck in the keyboard sometimes and I get writers block).
I completed this years Reading Half Marathon in a time of 02:06:16. I was pretty pleased with my pretty consistent split times:
5K – 00:30:11
10K – 00:59:03
15K – 01:30:45
20K – 02:00:12
I was well supported by Mustafa my minder and the crowd really got behind me. We came into the Madejski Stadium to a rapturous applause, and managed a sprint for the final 200m round the track.
Mustafa collected an exceptional £133 in his bucket (thanks to all who donated).
There is a good photo of Mustafa and I on the BBC website (photo 7 of 9) – Reading Half Marathon 2011 in photos . There are some goodies there (really like the Morph chaps).
Anyway another super Reading Half Marathon completed, the race gets bigger and better each year. We will be back next year for sure.
Bring on the the London Marathon on the 17th April.
If you have not sponsored yet please get behind us and support WaterAid – http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HumphreytheCamel
Big Camel Hugs
Humphrey
Mar
11
Goring 10K – 2011
I got a chance to test my legs this weekend at the Goring 10K. It was a chilly but sunny day, and there was the usual friendly village feel, with about 1000 runners (mostly human). I really enjoy this race, I think it was my 6th race and I’ll always come back for more.
Felt quite strong for the first race of the season. Mustafa kept me well watered and motivated up an down the hills. The mud was not too thick this year and I managed to avoid most the “humps”.
I finished in 56min 20seconds, which I was quite pleased with. I’ll need to step up another gear for the Reading Half Marathon (19th March)
Jan
23
Humphrey in Bangladesh
Have not quite managed to visit WaterAid’s work in Bangladesh, but I am very much there in spirit. Above is a photo taken by Mark Wickstead on the recent WaterAid supporters trip to Bangladesh. Mark took along pictures of his family and Humphrey to the village to explain a bit about his life and what the crazy characters back in the UK get up to
You can read more about WaterAids great work in Bangladesh here
Nov
25
New York Marathon 2011
Gebre Gebremariam; men's winner, 2010 NYC ING Marathon
Looking at the photos from the 2010 New York Marathon and I thought how about it?
I spotted a few of my good friends the Rhino’s giving it a go, so why not a Camel.
I have done 14 London Marathons and its about time I gave the New York Marathon a shot.
Mustafa my faithful minder also be with me there to guide me through the streets of New York
Check out the inspirational video – http://www.ingnycmarathon.org/video.htm
Got camel butterflies at the thought
My minds made up (front and rear humps are in agreement), but there is still the logistics of marathon places, flights, accommodation.
Please drop me a line if you can help this old camel get to New York (not been before).
Corporate Sponsors
