Almost ten years running, eight countries and a marathon for each of the 26 letters of the alphabet. During the Quebec Marathon there are always extraordinary stories, that of Englishman Joachim Aaron James Benford is one of those crazy, inspiring adventures.
The funny thing is that Benford wasn’t a runner at heart at all. In fact, yes, he ran after the ball. Football was always his first love until injuries discouraged him in the early 2010s.
It got to the point where this sporting career had to be given up, but without him knowing it, another door was opening.
“Running was a way to keep myself in shape, period. I am now a 26-time marathon runner. It sounds pretty good! said the likeable 38-year-old athlete as he completed the route in 4:57:24 hours.
The alphabet is running
In 2013, the runner from Bury St. Edmunds, England, completed his first marathon. Then in 2015 there was the famous London Marathon and the idea came up to organize a marathon for each letter of the alphabet.
In Quebec, after almost ten years of work, Benford completed his major project with the letter Q.
“I originally decided I had to do it before I turned 50. Then I told myself I wouldn’t train that hard for the rest of my life, so I did it before I turned 40! “, he laughed.
In Quebec, the Englishman wanted to complete the project that had occupied him for the past ten years. He quickly appreciated the city’s charm, even if the route’s elevation change shocked him.
“I spent a week here in Montreal and Quebec. This whole project has allowed me to discover many cities. The organization here was great. The city is beautiful, even though I thought it was a flat place. It was quite a surprise for me. I guess it was better not to know. “I didn’t have to worry about it before,” responded the man for whom it was the longest trip on his alphabetical itinerary.
“Most of my marathons have taken place in England. The letter Q was my last because I wanted to finish with a great marathon. I always told myself I would come here,” he continued.
A proud father
A few minutes after crossing the finish line, Joachim Benford seemed particularly emotional. For him it was the end of a crazy epic.
“With two young girls at home, time passed very quickly. The training has allowed me to stay healthy and be a better father to them,” concluded the man, who does not plan to put his feet on the beanbag for much longer.
“It’s finally done!” I’m proud. I’m going to take a little break and think I’ll start running some ultramarathons,” he said.