20 questions – we catch up with our NYC Marathon runner

Founder member Matthew Haley is attempting to jog/walk/crawl the New York City Marathon in two weeks’ time for the Development Fund, so we peppered him with 20 questions to find out what on earth he was thinking when he signed up for the 26.2 miles.  

1. Why did you decide to run the New York City Marathon?
I’ve been cajoling fellow Reds into doing the London Marathon for the Development Fund for years, so I thought I’d better finally do one myself.

To always be asking people to do something you’re not prepared to do yourself is s***house behaviour and, despite my faults, I like to think I’m not a s***house.

2. Why New York?
I can’t do London due to work, and New York seemed a bit more exciting than running somewhere such as Newport, Nottingham, or Nantwich. No offence intended to anyone who’s run a marathon there.

3. What’s your previous experience of running?                                                   
I was a bang average middle distance runner in PE at school then I gave up running for nearly 20 years as I discovered alcohol was far more enjoyable and has the added benefit of making me think I’m funnier than I really am.  

4. But you work in the running industry, so this must be a pretty easy busman’s holiday for you?
I wish that was the case! I sit in front of a computer copying and pasting words all day. I work on running events, I don’t actually run in the events. I’m not that daft. Until now.

5. Any regrets?
Not yet. I’m a bit gutted the Fenix Trophy committee didn’t see there was a clear and obvious fixture clash in the diary with New York and Krakow. I’ve tried to get my brother to go to New York instead as he looks a bit like me, but he’s not having it.

6. Why do you want to raise money for the Development Fund?
Because with more money and less debt we can do even more fantastic things for Moston and beyond. I’m also fundraising for Samaritans in honour of two mates who sadly committed suicide this year. I’m sure we can all agree they’re both very worthwhile causes.

7. How much are you aiming to raise for the Development Fund?
Thanks to lots of very generous people, we’ve raised more than £800 so far. Ultimately, it’s up to the good people of FC United to decide how much it’s worth and how much they can afford to give during the cost of greed crisis. All donations big and small are massively appreciated.

8. What was your first FC United game?
The club’s first game – Leigh RMI away in July 2005. I went out of defiance and curiosity, and immediately knew supporting FC was the right thing for me to do. I started volunteering the following week and have been doing so ever since.

9. What does the club mean to you?
Everything. It’s a shining example of how life could and should be if more people had principles, stuck to together, and looked out for each other.

10. How’s your training going?
Better than expected. It’s hard work and painful, there’s no doubt about that, but I’m pleased that I’ve managed to follow a plan.

I did trip up and fall over last week though. Hopefully I won’t do that on the day in New York as I don’t want to go viral as a gif or a meme.

11. What’s been the best thing about it?
I’m fitter than I’ve ever been. I reckon if I can work on my first touch and learn how to trap a bag of cement, Reno might offer me a place on the bench.

12. What’s been the worst thing about it?
Hungover runs in 25-degree heat. And losing a stone, which I didn’t really have to lose. I don’t enjoy seeing my ribcage in the mirror.

13. Anything else?
I’m genuinely concerned about being in New York on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday and having to resist the urge to go on a three-day drinking session. It probably would have been more sensible to arrive on Sunday morning and run straight off the plane.

14. Provided you don’t turn up hungover, how do you think you’ll do on the day?
I’d love to do it in under four hours but it’s a big ask. I’m aiming for three hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds. Any faster is wasted energy. If it takes longer then so be it – at least I’ll have got my money’s worth.

15. What’s your race day strategy?
Strategy?

16. Surely you must have a strategy to get round the course?
Jog convincingly, ignore the pain, and try not to end up as a meme.

17. Are you going to wear fancy dress?
I considered dressing as a rhino but wasn’t sure if I’d get it through customs. So, I’ll wear our new home shirt. It’ll be an honour to carry the names of 1,000+ members through the streets of New York with me.

18. Why will it be an honour?
Because our members are amazing. We’re all cogs in a lovely little red, white and black wheel. I’m currently getting attention for doing this – look at me, look at me, look at me – but we’re a club full of unsung heroes from the car park attendants and turnstile operators to the halftime draw sellers and various committee members and everyone in between, including people who donate and contribute financially. Thousands of us just get on with doing our bit for the club and it’ll be a real privilege to run 26.2 miles for everyone.

19. What are you looking forward to the most after your marathon?
Going on a pub crawl afterwards with my medal around my neck and impressing the locals with my totally awesome English/Irish/Australian accent, even if I have to borrow a wheelchair.

20. Finally, any advice for anyone thinking of doing a run or a similar fundraiser for the club?
Don’t do it! In all seriousness, do what you can. We’ve got to keep finding ways of raising money for the club because it’s ours and it’s not going to fund itself. If anyone has an idea then please put it out there. I’m sure we’ll all get behind you.

You can sponsor Matt now with a donation to the Development Fund. Thank you.