04.08.2015
From Couch Potato to Marathon Runner – Christ Church Priest–Vicar Running to Raise Funds for Bishops’ Appeal
At one point or another many people will look at their lives and decide it’s time to make some changes. Few, however, after 15 years of not undertaking any exercise to speak of, will decide that the change they need is to run a half marathon. But this is exactly the challenge that the Residential Priest Vicar of Christ Church Cathedral, the Revd Garth Bunting, has taken on. And Bishops’ Appeal will benefit from his efforts as he is seeking sponsorship for the charity.
The Dublin Half Marathon takes place on Saturday September 19 in the Phoenix Park. If people are generous and Garth raises €2,000 in sponsorship for Bishops’ Appeal, he will also undertake to run the Dublin Marathon in October. Donations can be made online via the Christ Church Cathedral website at http://christchurchcathedral.ie/donate/
The challenge came about when Garth (pictured on one of his training runs) decided it was time to lose a bit of weight. A self–confessed couch potato, he sought the advice of a personal trainer close to the cathedral and started exercising there, including a bit of running on a treadmill. It was Michael English (www.mypersonaltrainer.ie ) who suggested taking on the half marathon.
“Michael suggested doing the half marathon and I laughed,” Garth recalls. “But he’s never done a half marathon either so we’re training together which keeps us both committed.”
Garth started exercising in early April. The idea for the half marathon came about towards the end of May. But the whole process has involved a huge change in lifestyle.
“I had never run before. Probably since I was ordained I had had no exercise. That’s why it’s a challenge for me because exercise and moving is something I haven’t done for a long time. Thinking about having to train three or four times a week and keeping moving is a big change in lifestyle and having to remember when you get up in the morning that you have to fit in exercise is something you have to get used to,” he explains.
Garth chose Bishops’ Appeal as it is a charity connected with the whole Church of Ireland. “I like the idea that because they have funds available, they can respond straight away when there is a catastrophe anywhere in the world. They work with people on the ground in countries and they build relationships with those people,” he says.
As the September 19 deadline is looming, the distances Garth is running are getting longer and longer. This week he will do his longest run yet at 12 miles. “It’s a complete surprise to me that I’m able to do that. Family and friends are surprised that I would consider doing something like this but they’re really chuffed that I’m achieving it. People are amazed at the weight I’ve lost and I’m getting great encouragement from people on Facebook, people I know and don’t know,” he comments.
Garth was ordained in 1999 to serve his curacy in All Saints’, Clooney, Londonderry. His first incumbency was Leckpatrick and Dunnalong parishes in Derry diocese before moving to Finaghy and Upper Malone. He came to Christ Church five years ago.
To support Garth’s efforts you can donate online at http://christchurchcathedral.ie/donate/. On the donate page, choose Bishops’ Appeal, and complete your details. You’ll receive an email confirming your donation, which is your receipt. Donations can also be sent to Garth at Christ Church Cathedral, Christchurch Place, Dublin 8.
You can keep up with Garth’s training progress on his Facebook page Couldn’t Run the Length of Myself (www.facebook.com/lengthofmyself ). To find out more about Bishops’ Appeal see: http://www.bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/