Marathon man Roberts raises £1,500

marathon man roberts raises £ 1,500 Former Hampshire batsman Mike Roberts raised £ 1,500 for the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust by running his first-ever marathon in Barcelona at the weekend. Despite a marathon novice, Roberts completed the 26-mile route in a real time of three hours and 23 minutes, with an official time of three hours 31 minutes, and finished an impressive 2,409th out of 17,000 starters. Roberts, who ran the marathon wearing a PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust vest, nominated the charity as a thank you for the support he has received from the PCA since he left Hampshire at the end of the 2013 season and as his contribution to the PCA’s Legacy Year Appeal. The Legacy Year Appeal has been set up to mark the 50th anniversary of the PCA, which was formed in November 1967, to raise £ 250,000 for the Professional Cricketers’ Trust which supports past and present professional cricketer and their immediate family members in their hour of need. Roberts gained a Masters degree in psychology at Westminster University and is now studying for a Masters in Applied Sports Psychology at St Mary’s University in Twickenham, with both courses being part-funded by PCA educational grants. ” The marathon was a fantastic experience I absolutely loved it,” Roberts said. ” It got quite hot towards the end but otherwise conditions were perfect for running. It was also quite a flat course. ” It was awesome and I’m already looking forward to the next one.” Roberts ran the Barcelona marathon alongside Stewart Davison, a teammate at Henley in the Home Counties Premier League and for Berkshire in the Unicorns Championship. “We would like to congratulate Mike on running his first marathon in such in an impressive time and thank him for his efforts in raising so much money for the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust,” said David Leatherdale, PCA Chief Executive. ” We are encouraging all our members – players past and present – to donate either an item of memorabilia or a pledge of a service to support the Legacy Year Appeal and raise a substantial sum of money for what is their charity. ” Mike is a marvellous example for others to follow. We have been delighted to support his transition to a career outside cricket by providing funding for his training as a sports psychologist. ” He is very appreciative of the support we have given him and, in return, has wanted to do something significant to support the PCA Professional Cricketers’ Trust.” To find out more information and get involved in the Legacy Year Appeal click here.