Tom at the 9 mile mark (Washington and Lafayette in Brooklyn)

By BRENDA BARGER
DavidsonNews.net

(NOTE: The following originally appeared in the Nov. 16 Around Davidson column.)

Remember a few weeks back when DavidsonNews.net featured Tom Cotter raising marathon money by selling body parts? Tom found sponsors for enough “parts” to cover a special charity entry fee in the Nov. 7 New York Marathon.

So how did he do? He sends the following report:

“I finished in 4 hours, 2 minutes. I missed a sub four-hour run by just two minutes overall, or just five seconds per mile! (Actually I wanted to run a 3:57 so I could beat Sarah Palin’s marathon time… Next time!)

“I was one of 45,000 competitors who ran in front of more than 2 million spectators! They lined the road for the entire 26.2-mile route, sometimes five people deep. 130 bands, playing every type of music, entertained us as we ran past. Spectators handed runners oranges, water, candy, tissues. It was such an incredible experience. And the organization was spot-on. Everything was planned out to the finest detail. The volunteers were friendly and kind and glad to be there. And they made us glad to be there.

“I ran for a charity — Team For Kids — which secured nearly $4 million for children’s sports programs. They were amazing, and if I run New York again, I’ll certainly do it with Team For Kids. I was responsible for securing a minimum of $2,620 in donations, but by selling sponsorship on my limbs, I have collected more than $4,000 so far and counting. I’m still on a runner’s high, but also still very sore. The last three or four miles were torture, with my legs cramping up pretty badly. But I’m feeling better every day and can’t wait to start running again in a week or so. Now I just need to enter a nice, flat marathon — maybe on the coast — so I can make that 3:57 goal!”

Kudos to you, Tom, on a great run and a special charity. Thanks to Tom’s wife, Pat, for having the camera phone handy for this photo.

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