Me, Myself and Nigel – a donkey story…by Nicholas Van Gelder

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Back in April I watched inspired as someone dressed in a huge donkey suit completed the Brighton Marathon. They were running for SPANA – a brilliant charity that supports working animals overseas. A week later Nicholas Van Gelder, Fundraising & Supporter Care Administrator for SPANA tackled London Marathon in the same guise. He kindly agreed to write us a guest blog and tell us what it’s like to run 26.2 miles carrying a huge ass!

You can follow SPANA on Twitter via @SPANAcharity. For more information or to donate see the SPANA website.

Nigel and I are at the start line of the 2013 Virgin London Marathon – 37,000 competitors where the atmosphere of this world-famous race is electric. We’d been raising money and awareness for SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) the charity that supports working animals such as donkeys, horses, mules, camels and livestock whose daily toil supports communities in poorer countries. All we had left to do was cover 26.2 miles of the best known marathon around, to make good on our promises – it was fair to say we were both quite nervous.

I’d run a marathon before. And you never forget your first. Mine was three years ago in Brighton for the town’s inaugural marathon. Afterwards, with 26.2 miles completed, sun burn acquired and a swagger of pain developed, in the days of recovery after the event I swore I would never do it again!

Nigel, on the other hand, is a pro. He’s even done London before – of course, he’d never tell me to my face. I got introduced to Nigel in my first week at SPANA where we both work. He has always been ‘the quiet one’ in the corner of the room. Strong and silent, you might say. Me, on the other hand, I’m quite chatty. Perhaps that’s why we were put together for this ‘ running assignment’.

I’d done the usual marathon training – tapering up, tapering down, building up core strength, stretches, the right diet, sleep, breathing, clothing, meditation – everything, and so had Nigel. At least, that’s what they told me.

Nigel is an ass! He never did any training for this one. He expected me to carry him the whole way! Don’t get me wrong, he felt bad! On the morning of the marathon he was in bits. With my colleagues we managed to get him together. I took it upon my shoulders to get him to the start line and finish line too for that matter. Talk about drama.

But Nigel is very good at his job. Made by Jonathan Saville, model-maker extraordinaire, he’s a unique costume weighing 17kg used to raise awareness for the working animals of the world. On the day of the 2013 London Marathon, I was blown away by the amount of attention I got wearing the costume. Carrying what look like heavy rice sacks, it convincingly portrays the hardships of working animals. Inside the costume, it’s designed like a rucksack with the weight biased towards the front – okay for the first 20 miles but by the last 6, it starts to take its toll! With fantastic support from colleagues and crowd alike, mile upon mile was conquered at a fast walking pace. But we did what we set out to do: cross that line… and spread the word.

It’s been a few weeks since that amazing day. Perfect strangers have shown their support, my love of endurance ‘running’ is stronger than ever and as for Nigel? He stills sits quietly in the corner of the office. But we’re closer somehow.

Inspired by Nicholas’ story? Like to find out more information about animal care abroad? Please visit the excellent SPANA website.