04.03.11: PEF runners Marathon of Marathons

An elite team of 23 PEF runners have raised over £120,000 for young people with over £60,000 going directly to the Foundation. The remainder is donated to UNICEF. The team consists of runners from Apax, BC Partners, KKR, Ernst & Young, Intermediate Capital Group, KPMG, Lazard and RBS Global Banking & Markets.

The Marathon of Marathons, part of the official 2010 Athens marathon, was organised by Campbell Lutyens and PEI and took place on 31 October 2010. The race celebrated the 2500 anniversary of the Battle of Marathon and the epic run of Pheidippides in 490BC. 250 people from the private equity and infrastructure communities ran in the very footsteps of Pheidippides from the battleground of Marathon to the triumphant Panathainako Stadium – home of the modern Olympic Games.

John Harley, Global Head of Private Equity at Ernst & Young, won the Fastest Runner over 50 Award and gives us an insight into the experience:

“When I heard that PEF was working with Campbell Lutyens & PEI to offer 250 runners the chance to run in the Marathon of Marathons I thought that this was a chance that I had to take. One of my favourite charities, an historic event combined with the chance to do something that I had never done before, i.e. run a marathon, and many people had advised me not to contemplate this. However, at 58 years old, I felt that if I did not take this chance then when would I run a marathon?

“A little more contemplation and I realised that the training could be done in the summer with early morning runs and warm conditions with less risk of injury. Oh, how naive one can be! Over-training, arguably the wrong running shoes, not swimming and cycling enough, unsettled stomach and unsuccessfully testing energy gels were all experiences. I was already known as ‘Bananaman’ at home and yet my intake of bananas increased!

“And then there was the fundraising. How do you train, work and fundraise and remain sane? Somehow it all came together and friends, family, colleagues and clients were incredibly generous allowing the opportunity to put a challenging target of £30,000 within reach and then exceeded. This added inspiration to the race itself which was run on a hot day, when the clocks had just gone back with a very hilly course from the 20 to 32km markers. The crowds were fantastic with ‘Bravos’ ringing in one`s ears. A fairly chaotic start with Greek enthusiasm leading to the finish in a similar environment in the old Olympic stadium. History recognised and more history created followed by the satisfaction of a cold bath, then a hot shower and finally the warm glow of accomplishment!

“When can I sign up for the next one?”

To sign up to run for the Private Equity Foundation, please contact Hollie Montgomery via email at hollie@privateequityfoundation.org or by direct line 020 7749 5130.