A bus driver for Oxford Bus Company has completed the Oxford Half Marathon after battling illness and injury, raising funds for Sobell House hospice.
Mark Temple is a long-serving driver with the operator, but was incapacitated by 50 insect bites sustained on a fishing trip in the run-up to the event. The infection left him on antibiotics for three weeks and affected his preparation.
Mark recovered in time for Sunday’s half marathon and aimed to complete the race in 90 minutes, but suffered a calf injury after eight miles.
Despite the setbacks, he managed to finish 10th in his age group, with a time of 1:32:15.
Excluding gift aid, Mark raised £420 for Sobell House Hospice, a specialist palliative care provider which cared for Mark’s dad and grandmother-in-law before they passed away.
Oxford Bus Company operated a special shuttle bus service to support runners and volunteers in the marathon and sponsored Mark’s efforts.
Comments Luke Marion, Managing Director at Oxford Bus Company: “The Oxford Half Marathon is a special event and that proved to be the case again this weekend.
“Several charities were supported, and we were proud to back Mark in his efforts. Despite not having an ideal preparation, he performed exceptionally and in aid of an important charity.”
Adds Mark: “Every penny does make a difference, so I was proud to finish. The support from Oxford Bus Company was brilliant and doubled my total.”
Before the next Oxford Half Marathon, Mark plans to cycle from Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club, to Oxford in one day, marking the 50th anniversary for Sobell House. He will be supported with the logistics in June by fellow Oxford Bus Company driver Terry Brackett, his brother Justin Temple, and Michael Stopp from Thames Travel.
