by Dr. Iain Corness
It
is not often that I interview a rabbit, but perhaps now I can retire and
say, “I’ve done it all!” However, the rabbit I interviewed certainly
hasn’t retired saying, “That’s all f-f-folks.” This rabbit runs to
raise funds for research into leukemia. Not jogs around the block either,
this rabbit has run marathons in London, New York, Boston, across the
Sahara desert and through Death Valley. “I’m the only rabbit in the
world that’s run across the Sahara,” he said proudly. He also added,
“People think I’m bonkers!” I decided that we should see if this
were true.
I caught up with Roger Rabbit after a training run down
Beach Road (or should I say “hop”) and we settled down over a carrot
or two to get the full story. Roger is really Derek (Del) McCarrick, a
retired London cabbie, who around 20 years ago decided he would go running
marathons. “I could feel age coming on and decided to run. The first
marathon took seven and a half hours. It was absolutely horrible. I was in
bed for a week afterwards. I couldn’t move!” However, this was not the
debut of Roger Rabbit in the super-fit field of marathoners. Del went as a
duck!
Del also went with a purpose, way back then - to raise
money for leukemia research. He was prompted to combine this “running
thing” he had to do, with fund-raising, after the 18 month old daughter
of a friend died from leukemia in the Great Ormond Street Hospital, one of
the renowned centres of pediatrics. “I suddenly realized that children
could be here one day and gone the next,” said Del.
When Del the Duck went on his first London Marathon, he
was no spring chicken either (sorry about the pun), even then being 50
years old. He did, however, admit that he had always been an athletic sort
of bloke, having been a boxer in his youth, but like many of us, the
responsibilities of being a husband and father took the toll on time
available for physical pursuits. Now 70 years old, he is a widower with
three adult children, two girls and one boy, none of whom have followed
father into the marathoning fields. In fact he has to remind his children
to turn on the video recorder when he is running. “I think sometimes
they feel embarrassed,” said Del.
Having had 12 months to recover from his first
marathon, Del decided to line up again for the London Marathon, but this
time as Roger Rabbit, the star of the movie with Bob Hoskins and the
sultry siren Jessica Rabbit, famous for the line, “I’m not really bad
- I’m just drawn that way!”
He made the costume himself with some help from a chap
in the UK who made the Roger Rabbit head, and Roger Rabbit was ready to
run. Del was also more ready, having started to train regularly. While the
second marathon was more successful, there were still some traps for young
players, or should I say, young rabbits. People were willing to give him
money for the Leukemia Research Fund, but how was he to collect it? Del
decided he would run with a bucket, into which people threw money - coins!
26 miles later he had a full bucket and an arm twice as long as the other
one.
By this stage, Roger Rabbit was hooked on charity runs
and began to look further afield. He was supported and thrilled by the
generosity of his fellow cabbies and this was what took him overseas to
some of the famous marathons, such as the New York and Boston Marathons.
He also did not have to run with a bucket any more, people could send in
money to go to Del’s cause of leukemia research. And send in money they
have, with Del and Roger Rabbit bringing in over 170,000 pounds sterling
as the grand total over the years. Some Del collects in person after
people pledge donations. In one day he collected over 1,000 pounds at
Euston Station from his cabbie workmates. However, he is very quick to say
that the charity receives everything, he takes nothing for himself.
To do a full marathon, Del trains for between 30-40
miles per week, though this year he is only doing the half-marathon in the
Pattaya event on July 17. “I’ve been enjoying myself a little too much
over here,” said Del (and Roger) with a grin. I got the feeling there
might just have been a Jessica out there somewhere leading him down rabbit
burrows! “I also haven’t had the time to promote myself and the
message, get posters into the bars, and suchlike, but next year I will,
because I am going to settle down here,” said Del.
Having seen Del in the full costume, with the top, bib
and brace leggings, the furry boots, gloves and head, I asked him what
happens if it rains during a marathon. “Rain is a real problem. The
boots get very heavy. I also don’t know what it is going to be like
running in the Pattaya heat and humidity.”
He also admitted that even when he is in peak condition
and fully carroted, each marathon has pain before the pleasure. “The
first four miles are purgatory. I think to myself, ‘Why am I doing
this?’, but after the first four miles I am OK.”
“It’s a gimmick. I’ve been meaning to change the outfit, but
everyone knows me as Roger Rabbit.” However, it is a gimmick that has
done some good for some very unfortunate people in this world. We need
more Del’s and Roger Rabbits in this world! So if you want to know more
about leukemia research go to www. lrf. org.uk. Tell ‘em Roger Rabbit
sent you! And if you want to donate towards this year’s run, contact
Reina Rances at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital 038 259 999 (she’s the one
with the bucket!).
