The Men behind the Man - Manchester Marathon

Chris Drew (also known as Andrew)

None of the team had pushed me in my wheelchair before the day started. When they asked for a practice, I couldn't resist but to keep the brakes on for when Chris had a push, "Are the brakes on he asked?" "No", I replied Chris just looked at Iain and Dan and said "This is going to be hard lads" before I started laughing and took the brakes off.

Chris was the only member of the original three who signed up, and really felt the struggle of the admin.

Professionally Chris is an excellent Financial Advisor, so planning is his thing. What he didn't plan for when agreeing to do the marathon was that it was to clash with the day Liverpool would win the league. Being a season ticket holder this must have been tough, but he didn't even think about not taking part. (Well he didn't tell me anyway).

Chris really showed his financial planning mindset as we ran around and he saw the first house using a hose to provide runners with a cold water sprinkler.

"Hope you're not a meter"

Chris has his wife, Mum and two sons see him cross the finish line. I say this wholeheartedly, without Chris we may not have achieved the goal of completing the marathon. His focus and determination to make sure we were prepared before the race is unmatched and his grit during the marathon is testament to the person he is.

Possibly the only person who took part in the marathon with a whole pizza on him.

Iain McLean (also known as McLean)

The first time I spoke actual words to Iain was at Wharfside tramstop just as we were about to set off to Old Trafford football ground for the race. Race, was it a race ? Getting around was an achievement, but we will put time in to perspective at the end of this blog.

A seasoned marathon runner, having completed the Manchester Marathon and Stockholm Marathon previousy. Iain had already booked on to run the marathon when Chris spoke to Iain. I don't know how much convincing it took, but Iain said to me on the day,

"Running the marathon will be good, but doing it when pushing someone in a wheelchair is something that will stay with me forever".

Iain has a You Tube channel called Football Weekender which combines two of his big passions - Football and Travelling.

I only started watching it after the marathon, not really knowing what to expect. I've watched Romesh Ranganathan's (more on him later) and Richard Ayoede's travel programmes and really like them. I'd seriously put Iain's Football Weekender not on par with them, but better than them. Check out one of Iain's Football Weekend videos below. If you like them make sure you like and subscribe.

After the marathon we found a pub to watch the end of the Liverpool match. At the bar Iain said he has been waiting all his life to see Liverpool win the league, but he wouldn't swap the experience for anything. At least, he will see the trophy be lifted. To top it off his son got to watch him twice during the run.

Daniel Ezzatvar (also known as Mark Waldron)

For anyone who knows Dan Ezzatvar, they will know he is always someone looking for ways to have fun.

This race is probably not to be described as fun.

Dan took up his place in the team at just two days notice with just one 5k training run. Dan has run before, completing the Paris half marathon not too long ago. He was meant to be running the Blackpool half marathon (or 10k). As we were making our way to the start line he said,

"I can either run straight up and down one road in Blackpool, or do this with yous lot. I know what I'd rather do"

Dan is part of the MOVE community which Chris and me are also part of. When Mr MOVE - Mark Waldron wasn't able to support due to injury, Dan didn't just take his place but his running bib too. With the crowd cheering "Come on Scott, Come on Mark" Similar to Iain, I hadn't met Dan in person before the day, but we had at least exchanged voice notes before. Dan is a very creative person, which is why he excels as a marketer. (As you can tell with him stepping in at short notice).

During the run the lack of notice and training got the better of Dan as he stepped back the pace.

We thought he may not complete the marathon, but pure heart and determination got Dan across the line. I think lots of people in Dans situation would not have finished.

Time

It wasn't about time, but everyone asks. The official team time is 5 hours 36 minutes.

To put this in to context.

Alexandra Burke completed the London Marathon that day in 6 hours 29 minutes

Romesh Ranganathan, the second best travel show host running a marathon on the day completed it in 6 hours and 2 minutes

Joe Wicks, the nations PE teacher during lockdown took 5 hours 59 minutes

And the team got me across in a wheel chair in 5 hours 36 minutes

As you can tell from the pictures, my wheelchair was not a specially purchased wheelchair designed for this event

It was not a sporty style every day use wheelchair

Nope, it was a bog standard basic wheelchair supplied by the NHS Even hard to push

I am forever grateful to Chris, Iain and Dan.

A brotherhood united on Sunday 27th April 2025. The link to sponsor is https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Manchesters-Wheelz