An Oxford Bus Company driver has overcome illness and injury to successfully complete the Oxford Half Marathon, raising hundreds of pounds for charity in the process.
Mark Temple, a driver with the Oxford Bus Company, faced a major setback in his training when he was struck by illness following a fishing trip that left him with 50 insect bites. The reaction required antibiotics and kept him off his training schedule for three weeks.
Despite the difficult preparation, Mark recovered in time to take part in Sunday’s Oxford Half Marathon, setting himself the ambitious goal of finishing in under an hour and a half.
The race started well, but at the eight-mile mark in Marston, Mark suffered a painful calf injury. Undeterred, he pushed through the final miles and crossed the finish line in a time of 1 hour, 32 minutes and 15 seconds, placing 10th in his age group.
In doing so, he raised £420 for Sobell House Hospice, a charity close to his heart that cared for both his father and his wife’s grandmother before they passed away. His total was doubled thanks to support from his employer, Oxford Bus Company, who also operated a special shuttle service for runners and volunteers on race day.
Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, Luke Marion, praised Mark’s resilience, saying that the Oxford Half Marathon “once again brought the community together in support of great causes,” adding that Mark’s determination and performance were “exceptional despite the challenges he faced.”
Mark’s fundraising efforts won’t end there. Next year, he plans to cycle from Anfield Stadium, home of his beloved Liverpool Football Club, to Oxford in a single day — a challenge he’s taking on to mark Sobell House’s 50th anniversary.
He’ll be supported on the journey by fellow Oxford Bus Company driver Terry Brackett, his brother Justin Temple, and Michael Stopp from Thames Travel. Training for the endurance ride is already underway, with Mark clocking up miles in the gym before tackling long-distance practice rides in the months ahead.
“Every penny really does make a difference,” Mark said. “I was proud to finish the Oxford Half, and now I’m looking forward to the next challenge.”
