Gower Tan

Gower set out to achieve 3 goals by his 40th Birthday: to stop smoking and get fit; to achieve his ambition of running the London Marathon; and to raise at least £1,000 for Cancer Research UK. Completing the 2010 Marathon was hugely satisfying; even more was raising almost £2,500 - well over double the target. Two years on, he no longer smoke!

His dad was a passionate runner too and completed the first ever London Marathon in 1981 and again the following year. Sadly his dad passed away in 2002, losing a battle with lung cancer, and never saw his achievement.

Added to that his idol is Seb Coe!! The man who inspired him to take up running!

2012 will be his 20th anniversary with IHG and this would be an absolute honour for him. He planned to run this years Marathon, but injury again got the better of him. So for the past 6 months he have undergone intense physio on my knee and rolled my place to next year (runner no. 55765). 2012 will be his 20th anniversary with IHG and come hell or high water, he will be running the London Marathon again, aiming to raise at least the same amount for Cancer Research UK.

As you know from a commercial perspective, he have also been very involved over the years in optimising our packages with the London Marathon, and playing a central role in the organisation of the Olympic Torch Relay and wider Olympic and Paralympic Games strategy. Who says work and play doesn't mix?! he would genuinely LOVE to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay.