Ryan Hall, Josh Cox, Tom Bedford, at the Rock n Roll Marathon for Entoto Foundation

http://entoto.org Tom Bedford's 2:25 Marathon Quest for Entoto Continues

The bets were on and the pace was fast. Maybe too fast as Englands Tom Bedford came up short of his goal of a sub-2:25 marathon at last Sundays Rock `n` Roll Marathon in San Diego. But his final time of 2:47:41 didnt tell the whole story of his brave effort, or give full measure to the rewards his hard work has already garnered for the Entoto Foundation.

Thank you very much for all that youve done for Entoto, wrote foundation president Rich Jayne to Tom after the race. And I hope youve recovered from the marathon. While you havent hit 2:25 yet, you have brought our cause some great publicity. I cant say enough how appreciative all of us at Entoto are.

With close to $30,000 in wagers going to the Entoto Foundation if he succeeded, Tom and his two world-class pacesetters, American record holders Ryan Hall and Josh Cox, took off from the Balboa Park start line at just under 5:30 per mile pace. The trio was in high spirits as they sought to take advantage of an ideal overcast morning for marathoning.

Ryan Hall, the 2008 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials champion and American half-marathon record holder, stayed with Tom till 9 miles. Josh Cox, who set the American record for 50 kilometers in January at the P.F. Changs Rock `n` Roll Arizona Marathon, kept Tom going till 20, passing the halfway split on pace in 1:12:01. But when Josh dropped off Tom began to fall apart.

I felt like I was at my peak today, Tom joked with Josh afterwards. So go to Entoto.org and bet against me. I dont think I will do it.

San Diego was Toms second attempt at the sub-2:25. Last fall he ran 2:33 at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. And though he didnt succeed in San Diego, the bet isnt over. According to the rules of the bet with father Dave, who is a former world record holder for 10,000 meters and race director of the Virgin London Marathon, Tom has till April 2011 to achieve his goal. For now Tom will refocus his energy, repair his body, and lift his sights to his next attempt at this falls Americas Bank Chicago Marathon, the wiser for his first two tries.

Through his generous efforts Tom raised over $1500 for the Entoto Foundation in San Diego. Five people who made donations and guessed closest to Toms final time won personally signed running gear from famous friends of Toms, Haile Gebrselassie, Paul Tergat, Constantina Tomescu-Dita, Sammy Wanjiru, Ryan Hall and Josh Cox.

Follow Toms training and lead up to Chicago on our website as the stakes go even higher. And find out how you can join in the effort to help spur Tom to his sub-2:25.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Entoto
• Ryan Hall
• Charity
• Josh Cox
• Marathon
• Runner
• Ethiopia
• Haile Gebrselassie
• Paul Tergat
• Sammy Wanjiru
• San Diego

[jaycarbon]

Race footage begins at 1:12 - thanks for watching!

[doobydanny]

dude my friend Fidele is in this video holy crap thats awesome!!

[badswb143]

great hug at the end of race! i know you will be out of town said ryan good luck with what you do in life! i ask him if you too could run the bonita 5000 our just come out to help rasie money for the local high school track teams, i told ryan and dan i will leave it in gods hands! june 20 @ rohor park 630am! co.1:07