A BROMSGROVE teacher has completed the Berlin Marathon which has seen her fund-raising for lifesaving research into cancer go through the £1.4million mark.
The feat has also put her in an elite group of runners.
Gill Punt, the assistant head of PE at South Bromsgrove High School, has now successfully finished the world’s six ‘Major Marathons’.
She is one of just 10,000 people in the prestigious ‘Six Star Finishers’ having ran the 26.2mile courses in London, Chicago, New York, Tokyo, Boston and Berlin.
Gill was inspired to start her fund-raising when her dad was diagnosed with bile duct cancer in 1999. He sadly died in that year – the year of her first marathon in London. Since then, Gill has been dedicated to running to raise funds and awareness for cancer charities.
Gill said there was probably not a family in the country who had not been affected by cancer and has vowed to continue to fund-raising for vital research.
In recognition of her staggering efforts, she has previously received recognition from The Queen and Prime Minister.
Guinness World Record
In 2016 she ran the London Marathon whilst dressed as a polar bear, breaking the World Record for the fastest time a marathon has been run in an animal costume.
When asked about which one was the toughest she said: “The London one dressed as a polar bear was my toughest as it was very hot.
“Boston is also tough as it also has the biggest hill. You get to ‘Heartbreak Hill’ at 21 miles which is not kind as by then you are running on your heart and adrenaline.
“For Boston, you also need a qualifying time to get into it.
“London is also quite hilly and some of the bridges in New York are steep.”
Gill’s favourite marathon
Mum to three boys, aged 15, 18 and 20, Gill said her favourite marathon was probably London as her family had seen her run there.
“The atmosphere in London is also amazing – the crowds are off the scale and the support you get from random strangers is fantastic.”
Gill has not always been a running enthusiast and used to be more of a keen hockey player.
She said: “I decided I was going to do the London Marathon for my dad after his diagnosis – my father was always a great sportsman and he inspired me.
“Signing up to do the run was a great way to put a smile on his face while he was going through treatment.
“The running community are such a friendly bunch too – everyone looks out for each other and you meet some great people.”
On any runs she had not yet done but would like to, she added: “I’m not really sure – probably the original marathon in Greece, where it all began.”
And, when asked about her plans going forward, Gill said: “I’m going to have some rest and recovery time and then I’ll get back running again – I’ll continue to volunteer and fund-raise until we reach the ultimate finish line – a world without cancer.”
