Marathon Mania: Running on inspiration
What motivates someone to run a marathon? Rachel Jacqueline talks to three runners with different goals who are undertaking the challenge
Upon hearing of the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon slogan "run for a reason" last year, Paul Evans knew he had to sign up.
Despite having never run a marathon in his life, Evans, 39, was motivated to run by his nine-year-old daughter who suffers from type 1 diabetes.
Originally from Wales, Evans hopes to raise HK$50,000 for the Hong Kong Juvenile Diabetes Association (HKJDA). The funds will be used to buy a Continuous Glucose Monitoring system - a device that records blood sugar levels throughout the day and night. If he achieves his target, manufacturer Medtronic will donate a second machine and maintain both. HKJDA will loan the machines to affected families, enabling them to gauge their child's insulin levels without the need for constant intrusive finger pricks.
Type-1 diabetes, otherwise known as juvenile diabetes, affects about 400 children and young adults in Hong Kong. It compromises the body's immune system, attacking cells in the pancreas and inhibiting the production of insulin, a hormone that is important for metabolism and utilisation of energy from ingested food, particularly glucose. The disease is fatal unless sufferers take external insulin, and this requires constant monitoring of the body - which is extremely demanding for young children.
For an added challenge, Evans will run his first marathon on a diet of natural foods, which he hopes will heighten awareness of the disease. "It will be the most difficult physical and mental challenge I have accomplished so far," he says. "I will celebrate by using the CGM for the first time with my daughter."