'How Linda inspired me to Boston run'
A Liverpool FC employee has revealed how a Tweet from Principal Owner John Henry's wife, Linda Pizzuti, has inspired him to compete in the 2011 Run to Home Base in Boston.
LFC Application Development Analyst David Channon will take part in the 9k run, which is organised by the Red Sox Foundation, on May 22 - and now he's eager for Reds fans to sponsor him and raise funds for charity.
Money raised goes towards the Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base programme, which aims to provide clinical treatment for servicemen and women who returned from Afghanistan and Iraq with combat stress and/or traumatic brain injury.
The 9k race ends with runners crossing the home plate at the Red Sox's Fenway Park stadium.
David said: "I'm not sure why I decided to do it, but I remember seeing a couple of Tweets from Linda Pizzuti about it back in January, so she was my inspiration.
"I'm a big baseball fan and have watched it on TV for many years, so not only is it a good opportunity for me to visit one of the most iconic and legendary stadiums in the world, Fenway Park, and watch some baseball live, but also a chance to visit America for the first time."
David has been undergoing gruelling personal training sessions in order to ensure he's in peak condition for the event.
"When I moved to Liverpool last year, I decided to start getting myself fit and between April and January, I lost three-and-a-half stone," he explained.
"I ran my first 10k in Southport last year and I regularly run 5-7k each week now.
"I've been working with my personal trainer Clair Fox at the city's 'The Gym' and my preparation has been a mixture of runs, fitness classes and one on one cardio, and core and weight training.
"The Home Base programme is an incredible charity and it would be fantastic - and I'd be incredibly grateful - if Liverpool fans could help me raise some funds by donating."