|  |  |  | | | | Alastair Campbell’s good luck message | | | | |
| |  Alastair Campbell
Release Date: 31st July 2006
Leukaemia Research Chairman of Fundraising, Alastair Campbell, has sent a good luck message to all the Banana Army members taking part in the Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon this weekend (5 and 6 August).
He says:
“Just a few days to go now to the London Triathlon, where Leukaemia Research will further establish itself as the Number One charity in the country's fastest growing sport.
“In 2003, we raised £5,000 from sponsorship in triathlon events. This year, we will top half a million. On behalf of everyone connected with Leukaemia Research, a big thank you to everyone who takes part, and everyone who sponsors them.
I can remember my first London Triathlon vividly. In particular I remember the run, when the muscles were flagging and the battle to get through it became mental as much as physical. There was something really uplifting about seeing so many of our yellow t-shirts, both among competitors and in the crowd. Not for nothing is it called The Banana Army. I felt part of a team, and that feeling helped keep me going to the end.
A few weeks ago, with a dodgy calf to worry about, I had pretty much decided I couldn’t do London this year. But a trip to the physio got me in better shape and the next morning I woke up to the absurd notion that I could do two Olympic triathlons on successive weekends.
So it was that on Sunday I found myself taking to the water for the start of the Salford Triathlon. BBC presenter Craig Doyle, who I got to know when we were both playing for The Rest of The World against England at Old Trafford for Soccer Aid, very kindly agreed to be on standby to do the run if my calf flared up after the swim and the bike.
But once I got into it, I was determined to go the whole hog and got round in 2hrs44. So my message to all those people worrying - as I know you do - about getting round, is this - if I can do it, anyone can, and I'm sure you'll all make it.
The worrying is all part of the process.
And it makes completing the course all the more satisfying.
So good luck to everyone taking part. And thanks again for the fantastic job you all do to raise money for the charity that does what it says on the label – Leukaemia Research.”
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