Lara eyes the Big Apple event after marathon success
FORMER Exeter schoolgirl Lara Wadey is taking on the streets of New York in memory of her ex-boyfriend.
Lara, 31, who attended St Peter's Church of England High School, is running in the New York Marathon to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, after the condition claimed her ex-boyfriend, Gavin Fallon, three years ago.
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Lara Wadey is to run in the New York marathon to raise money for cystic fibrosis
Lara, 30, who attended St Peter's High School, is set to raise hundreds of pounds for the charity on November 1 in the Big Apple.
Her parents, Ruth and Gordon Wadey, of Pennsylvania, Exeter, are backing her all the way.
Lara, mother to four-year-old daughter Tamzin, has only just recovered from finishing the London Marathon.
She said: "I took the following week off running and came home to Devon to spend time with the family. I had a fun week which helped to recharge my batteries.
"I returned rested, ready and positive to start training so prepared a fresh training plan and got myself back to the running club."
Lara recently revealed in the Echo how she beat anorexia and drug addiction to run in the London event. She raised hundreds of pounds for mental health charity Mind during the April marathon.
Lara battled with addictions for a decade but has now been off drugs for five years.
She said: "One really interesting experience that I had last weekend was to look at running from a completely different angle.
"Our club was having its 10k race and I was asked to help marshal. This helped make me feel part of something much bigger.
"Now I feel back on track. I have a few weeks until I'm in the Big Apple to experience one of the world's greatest marathons — and I can't wait."
Lara has only been running for around two years, but has completed a number of half marathons and is now training hard.
Keeping fundraising in the family will be Lara's brother, Ross, 28, a PhD researcher at the University of Wales Institute in Cardiff. He also ran in the London Marathon, to raise money for children's charity Smile.
2 Comments
by Mike Fallon, Wolverhampton
Saturday, August 22 2009, 7:59PM
“Lara you have proved to all out there that it is possible to pick yourself up and come back on the streihgt and narrow hold your head high well done,Can i take this oppertunity to thank you for raising funds for cystic fibrosis on behalf of my late dear son Gavin Michael Fallon whom i miss so very much i am shore the money you raise will help cystic fibrosis in there fight to find a cure for all,Thank you so muc God bless you,Donation will be forwarded on.
Mike Chris and Leon.”
by Ruth Wadey (Lara's Mum), Exeter
Wednesday, August 19 2009, 9:52AM
“It never ceases to amaze me the way Lara has turned her life around. A few short years ago her face was dark and ugly and her body emaciated and lifeless as she lay on our couch day after day. Today she is a beautiful young woman, full of purpose and life. In fact she leaves me exhausted! Last week she helped marshall a race for her running club for the first time and wrote the following in her blog: It was magical to watch a race, to watch other people accomplish something real, and to feel their energy and passion. For the first time in my life I was really getting excited for other people, which in turn motivated me. Helping others turned around into helping me.... wow. For those who don't understand the addictive personality, addicts have a very selfish nature and the thought of being excited at other people's accompishments will have been an amazing experience for her. As I read it I was filled with amazement and awe - this was yet another step in her recovery. You can follow her blogs on http://www.city-runs.co.uk/html/lara_blog1.html and to sponsor Lara go to www.justgiving.com/larawadeynym”