Keep on running: entrants mark the day they should have been doing London marathon

  • Anglia

Runners across the region should have been taking part in the London marathon today.

The race has been postponed to October by the pandemic but there's no guarantee it will take place even then.

So some runners have decided to go ahead and run, or continue to appeal for money for their charities.

Some joined the 2.6 challenge on Sunday - raising money by doing 2.6 or 26 of anything.

Peter Cunningham from Doddington near Wellingborough opted to run the marathon around his village.

Locals turned out to give him a rousing (socially distanced) welcome as he neared the finish line.

His son Zach ran with him for the last three miles.

Peter completed his first marathon in 3:39:23 and raised £3000 for Alzheimers Research UK in memory of his dad Jimmy.

Ashley ran one marathon dressed as the Great Ormond Street mascot Credit: Ashley Grote

Choirmaster Ashley Grote from Norwich would have run his 5th London Marathon for Great Ormond Street Hospital, where his daughter's been treated for a brain tumour. He posted this message on Twitter.

Ashley runs the marathon to raise funds for Great Ormond Street where his daughter has received treatment Credit: Ashley Grote
Julie Buckley ran her own marathon to raise money for St Francis Hospice in Essex Credit: Essex Police

Essex Police praised Police Community Support Officer Julie Buckley, who ran a full marathon at home for charity.

PCSO Julie Buckley, who patrols Brentwood and Epping, raised £3,500 for St Francis Hospice, who provide care and support to individuals with a life-limiting illness, as well as their carers and family members.