A pair of policemen running an incredible three marathons in three days in aid of Children in Need will be doing the final leg backwards, they announced this week.
But they don’t intend to make their challenge even more gruelling by running 26 miles back-to-front.
Rather, their planned final leg around London has been replaced by a mirror of their first leg, and they’ll wind up were they started – on the steps of Marlborough Town Hall.
As reported by Marlborough News Online in October, at 10am tomorrow (Wednesday) Jon Hewlett (35) from Marlborough and Adam Leakey (29) from Swindon will be setting off from Marlborough, following the M4 to Woolhampton, between Thatcham and Reading.
And on Thursday, the runners – who are supported by Swindon-based physio Danny Clayton, former sports masseur to Swindon rugby club and the Cardiff Blues, and Run Swindon, in Old Town, who have donated a pair of running shoes to each constable – will be running from Reading to Slough.
Friday’s leg – on Children in Need day – was originally going to be a final marathon from the Hammersmith Apollo to BBC Television Centre.
But the promise of guaranteed airtime on BBC Points West has persuaded the runners to drastically change their route. So on Friday they’ll set off from Woolhampton, arriving to cheers and cameras in Marlborough at about 4pm.
Adam told Marlborough News Online this week: “Due to the level of local media interest, the final marathon has now changed to maximise the event’s promotion and hopefully generate more donations in turn.
“It will start at Woolhampton and will end in Marlborough, ie the first marathon in reverse.”
The policemen, colleagues from the burglary and robbery unit based at Gablecross police station in Swindon, have already raised more than £5,000. To sponsor the runners, log on to their Just Giving page.
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