For most people a 60th birthday celebration would involve a party, opening presents and eating cake with friends and family – but not for Davies and Partners’ Director Nigel Tillott, who chose to mark his big day by taking part in his 60th Marathon race!
Nigel, who heads up the Firm’s Gloucester Office, only took up running at the age of 40, when many people would be thinking of putting up their feet. But at the start of the New Year, Nigel realised he had completed 55 marathons and decided to set himself a challenge of running a 60th Marathon on the exact day of his 60th Birthday in June, which meant he had to run a marathon a month from Feb to May. This included marathons in difficult terrain, including the fells of the Lake District.
For his 60th marathon, the event which fell on his birthday was the Cannock 50 which is in fact an ‘ultra’ marathon – (any race longer than the usual 26.2 miles). The Cannock 50 is a hilly circuit race in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, with each of the three, 10-mile laps, having a 1250ft of elevation, over very loose stones.
Race day was extremely hot and humid and Nigel felt that his many years of marathon experience proved extremely useful, as he knew how to pace himself from the start. This meant he was able to achieve a strong and steady pace throughout, which saw him not only complete the race but come in an incredible 6th place out of a field of 80 runners. An achievement someone half his age would have been extremely proud.
Over his 60 Marathons, Nigel has raised thousands of pounds for several charities and this year’s charity was Samaritans.
When asked if his marathon running days were now over, Nigel replied, “Absolutely not, I’m quite addicted to these more rural, smaller races now. I love the atmosphere, camaraderie, and the beautiful and varied landscapes.”
He continued, “Fitting so many marathons in this year has been a great challenge, which I have enjoyed and my body has endured, and one I am pleased to have completed, but I am not ready to hang up my running shoes just yet. I am now looking to complete 100 marathons in my lifetime, with three more already lined up for this Autumn.”
Everyone at Davies and Partners would like to offer their huge congratulations to Nigel for his double 60th Celebrations and on such a marathon achievement!
