IT’s the ‘final countdown’ for Huddersfield Marathon Band.
With just 10 days to go to this year’s London Marathon they are tuning up and limbering up - and hoping to get back in the record books!
The band became the world’s fastest marching band when they completed the London Marathon in 2011 only to have the title snatched away a year later with the new record-holders cutting 22 minutes off their respectable time of seven hours and 55 minutes time.
This year, the group which was founded at the University of Huddersfield, want to snatch their record back and also hope to smash their £60,000 target in aid of national deafblind charity Sense.
Mike Lomas, the 22-year-old band director and cornet player, said: “Team morale is amazing, the band have done a fair few big distances.
“Last Saturday we did 27 miles going through Kirkburton, Skelmanthorpe, Denby Dale, Jackson Bridge, Holmfirth, Honley and Lockwood! We are really excited to give the Guinness World Record a go.
“We’ve had a few drop out due to injury which is a real shame and the band now consists of 31 players.”
But with the 26.2 mile course taking in the sights of London, the band have plenty of songs to keep themselves and the huge crowd going.
Mike added: “It’s a tough one deciding what to start with. It’s either ‘The Great Escape’ or ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen.
“Deciding seven hours+ music for the race has taken a lot of hard work from a very dedicated team.
“I am very pleased with fundraising. We are now on £45,000 and are still going strong.
“But please do help us raise the £60,000 by donating.
“We’ve also been fortunate to secure headline sponsors Go Goodwins, Residence 9, Brass’d and continued support from Sellers International. Special thanks go to to David Armitage at Sellers for his continuing help and support.”
The band have also forged a new link with Goodwins Coaches to assist in transporting the band and their instruments to and from the race.
To sponsor the Huddersfield Marathon Band, please visit here.
Are you taking part in this year’s London Marathon? Contact our Newsdesk on 01484 437712 or email at editorial@examiner.co.uk
Click here to take you back to more Huddersfield news.
Want to read, watch and hear more? You can download the FREE Examiner Apple App here, the FREE Examiner Android App here or you can view the paper as an e-edition on your Apple, Android or Kindle device by clicking here
To follow us on Twitter click here
