"'Legend' is a word that gets used too often" is a phrase that gets used too often. But Mick and Phil Curry deserve every last bit of recursive cliché you can muster. Phil has cerebral palsy and sodium valproate syndrome, and his dad Mick has a fondness for Vaseline and the energy of ten bears.
All the Striders who ran or helped out at the Crewe Déjà vu will be familiar with Mick 'n' Phil and the enthusiasm, friendliness and Joie de Vivre they both exhibited throughout the day despite unfortunately being unable to complete the race on this occasion.
 |
|
Mick 'n' Phil at the Crewe Déjà vu |
I can only begin to imagine the challenges involved in looking after a severely disabled family member on a full-time basis, but if that's not enough, Mick has pushed Phil and his chair around 42 full marathons and a few hundred half marathons. They were awarded the Jane Tomlinson Inspiration Award by Runner's World in 2008, and have given heart to hundreds of runners along the way with their fighting spirit, and Mick's chant of "Easy, Easy, Easy".
A few years ago, a group of Fetchies organised The Friends of Mick 'n' Phil Half Marathon, which raised over £5000 for the Curry family. The race made it into the Runner's World Top 10 races of 2008, which may or may not have been because the Fetchies all voted for it a dozen times each, but it was a genuinely well-put-together race, with some extremely attractive marshalls and organisers. And I'm posting this article because they're going to do it all again at Draycote Water, near Rugby. So please cancel any arrangements you've made for March 11th 2012.