Finishing in under six hours, IIMS member Catherine Linley ran the virtual TCS London Marathon MyWay in support of Sailors’ Society – IIMS’ chosen charity.
Catherine first contacted the maritime charity to take part in the event on their behalf after hearing about it via IIMS. She went on to complete the event with her sister, Hilary, by running along the Linear Trail and the beaches of Adelaide in “glorious weather”.
Despite managing injuries in the lead up to the day, the sisters supported each other to the finish line where they were swept up by family members.
Catherine said she was proud of their effort but was acutely aware of the privilege wrapped around it.
She said, “I am a professional mariner who no longer works at sea. I know what it means to work long hours, far from home, keeping a global system moving that most people rarely notice.
“Every day, nearly two million merchant seafarers operate the vessels that keep global supply chains alive. Many seafarers don’t work one six‑hour shift — they often work two in a day. Six hours on, six hours off – twelve hours a day, day after day. Unlike us, they don’t have family waiting at the finish line. They may go months without seeing their loved ones.
“World trade depends on maintaining a skilled, resilient pipeline of seafarers. And seafarers depend on having the right support to do their jobs safely, sustainably and with dignity.
“That is why we chose to run this marathon in support of Sailors’ Society. Thank you for all you do for the seafarers.”
Beth Courtier, Head of Development for Sailors’ Society, said: “We were delighted that Catherine and Hilary chose to support Sailors’ Society by taking part in the virtual London marathon event in Adelaide. A HUGE thank you to the pair for not only raising funds for the charity but also raising visibility of the vital work we do to support seafarers and their families across the globe.”
Sailors’ Society is now gearing up for its Fansipan Challenge later this year. The aim of this challenging trek is the summit of Fansipan- at 3,147m, the highest mountain in Vietnam, and the famed ‘Roof of Indochina’. This two-day trek is open to maritime professionals and takes place 27-29 November.
You can help Catherine hit her fundraising target here.
Find out more about the Fanispan Challenge.